what is anusara yoga?
available at camden, ealing, shoreditch and soho
Anusara means flowing with grace and is a dynamic, flowing style of yoga. This is a uniquely integrated approach to hatha yoga, based on the tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness, blended with a set of “universal principles of alignment”. So, you might hold some key postures a little longer so that the teacher can explain key points of alignment. The spiritual foundation of an anusara yoga class is that you are inherently good just as you are.
āsana lab: anusara’s vasiṣṭhāsana (side plank pose)
by Bridget Woods Kramer
Vasiṣṭha was the first of Brahmā’s mind-born sons. Brahmā created Vasiṣṭha from his thought with the intention of providing a template for eliminating the sorrows of existence. He taught him “you are not the body and mind you are the infinite; you are not bound, your true nature is limitless.”
Vasiṣṭhāsana teaches us to connect to the present moment even though it might be painful. The posture itself teaches us to focus, concentrate and find our balance being present. In Vasiṣṭhāsana, the hand rooted on the floor might shake and we might appreciate that but not resist it. Sometimes it’s necessary in life to receive added support.
Vasiṣṭhāsana builds core strength, improves balance, opens the hips and hamstrings and increases strength and flexibility of the arms and shoulders as well as the legs. This pose should not be practiced if you have wrist, shoulder or elbow injuries.
