What is Jivamukti Yoga Written By Sharon Gannon And David Life
Cover Photo By Simon Rae
Jivamukti Yoga focuses not only on the physical postures but also on how the origins of the practices in yoga’s ancient sacred texts and ancient traditions, the psychotherapeutic benefits that accrue with a steady practice, and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the mind and body. Jivamukti guides body and soul to spiritual freedom, physical strength, peace of mind, better health, and Self-realization.
"Jivamukti Yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. The Jivamukti Method is grounded in the original meaning of the Sanskrit word asana as “seat, connection” – relationship to the Earth. Earth implies all of life. Citing Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, which states that asana should be sthira and sukham, Jivamukti Yoga maintains that one’s relationship to others (asana) should be mutually beneficial and come from a consistent (sthira) place of joy and happiness (sukham). This is a radical idea that, when put into practice, can dismantle our present culture, which is based on the notion that the Earth and all other animals exist for our benefit and to be exploited for our own selfish purposes. So the practice of asana becomes more than mere physical exercise to keep one’s body fit or to increase strength or flexibility; it becomes a way to improve one’s relationship to all others and thus lead to enlightenment – the dissolution of the sense of separateness, the realization of the oneness of being, the discovery of lasting happiness."
This core philosophy is expressed through 5 tenets, which form the foundation of Jivamukti Yoga. Within my Open Level vinyasa style classes expect that each of these topics will be explored;
Ahimsa: A nonviolent, compassionate lifestyle extending to other animals, the environment and all living beings, emphasizing ethical vegetarianism (veganism) and animal rights.
Bhakti: Acknowledgment that God/Self-realization is the goal of all yoga practices; can be expressed through chanting, the setting of a high intention for the practice or other devotional practices.
Dhyana: Meditation, connecting to that eternal unchanging reality within.
Nada: The development of a sound body and mind through deep listening; is incorporated within a class throuhg chanting, recorded music, spoken word, silence or even the teacher’s voice.
Shastra: Study of the ancient yogic teachings, through scripture, such as Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Hatha Yoga Pradipika etc. -Jivamukti Tenets
