Anusara Yoga, Anyone?

If you are interested in physical exercise and spiritual enrichment all rolled up in one package I recommend looking into your local Anusara Yoga class. Anusara is a branch of Hatha Yoga started by John Friend in 1997.

This style of yoga focuses on Heart Opening and Alignment, both physically and spiritually. If you thought yoga was easy, try this for a change of pace. Anusara instructors essentially teach moving into alignment with perfection in each pose.

Did you think "Downward Dog" was easy? Try it in an Anusara class. It is not simply an upside down "V". In Anusara, you must spread your fingers, clawing each of the 10 tips into the ground, while all the joints of your fingers and the pads on your palm are pressed to the mat as strongly as the practioner is able to, leaving a donut-hole space where the wrist and hand meet the floor. That alone is difficult. But, believe it or not your hands placed in this way help support your entire body.

Now, let's move down the body to your shoulders. Shoulder placement is big...or should I say BIG! Shoulder blades must be pulled on to the back at all times; not only during each pose, but outside of class, as well. This serves a dual function; it not only improves your posture, it opens up your Heart to Grace. I truly feel closer to God when I simply open up my Heart Center. As one of my teachers offers in class, "When you left your home at 18, did you leave it following your shoulders? No, you followed your Heart!" and "How long are your shoulders on your back?" We all then respond enthusiastically, "Forever!" An added bonus is that if your posture is a little flawed, I am sure within a year of this practice you will be well on your way to perfection!

As in all yoga practices, breathing with each movement is essential. However, only in Anusara have I heard a teacher say breathe into your kidneys...and they all seem to say this! Who knew you could breathe there?

While breathing, don't forget to lengthen each side of your body.

Oh, we are not done with this pose yet...each participant must "inwardly spiral" their inner thighs. For me, this was the trickiest part of a position to learn. It honestly took me about 5 months to figure out what on Earth they were talking about. Then one day, it just clicked. Basically, you stick your rear out as far as possible, then scoop your tailbone at the same time, of course, which in turn moves your inner thighs toward the back of the room. Whew, I am tired! The interesting thing is that now, I am in the habit of inwardly spiraling my thighs even when sitting outside of class and yes, that means while I am in a restaurant. Who knew yoga would have such an impact on me?

Did I mention your arms and legs are perfectly straight while doing all this? Not only that, but the practitinoer must "hug their shins, feet, hands and arms to the center of the body... WHAT? Are you sure? YES.

We haven't even gotten to the feet yet! The feet are parrallel and aligned with the hips. That is the inner part of the hips not the outer part.

And all this work is for one pose! I am certain that an Anusara instructor reading this is thinking to themselves, "She forgot to mention another 10 different things."

You might be thinking, why go through all this for one yoga class? I can honestly say that I am not a yoga enthusiast by nature. However, with Anusara, I truly feel more aligned in my body, my mind and spirit all at the same time. I also feel the accomplishment of a great victory when achieving a pose, I once thought impossible. It's as though I am the little train that could. I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to my instructors and to The Infinite Universe that I offer blessings to all during each class. I feel so energized and empowered after a session, it puts me in a high better than any glass of wine ever did.

Of course, as in all practices, spirituality is a focal point in yoga. Each teacher offers their own individual and beautiful styles. One might discuss the relevence of matrika in the Tantric tradition; one might share stories of the Divine experiences of Francis of Assisi; while another might compare the Dali Lama to Fred Rogers...that's Mr. Rogers from PBS fame to you and me. I have to say, that as a 3 year old, Mr. Rogers bored me to tears, I was more of a Sesame Street girl myself; but being introduced to his writings as an adult I have learned that he was not only a benevolent man, but a very wise soul.

Some teachers offer the Anusara invocation to be chanted at the beginning of class. I have included it here for the reader:

Om

Namah Shivaya Gurave

Satchidananda Murtaye

Nishprapanchaya Shantaya

Niramalambaya Tejase

Om

translation:

Om

I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious One,

who is the True Teacher within and without,

Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

Who is never absent and is full of Peace,

Independent in existence, the vital essence of illumination.

Om

To learn more, please visit John's website at http://www.anusara.com/. If you are in San Francisco, please check out Mark Schveima's website at http://www.markshveima.com/yoga/index.html. He teaches throughout the city. Or check out Charles Jasper and Samantha's classes who teach at the Jewish Community Center http://www.jccsf.org/. All are excellent teachers!

One last thing, if you have practiced yoga for 12 years and are not willing to change the way you look at a pose, then Anusara may not be the class for you. There are enough styles of yoga for everyone, which is beautiful and perfect. This is the style of my choice. If you are interested in perfecting your practice, try it to see if it is yours.

Thank you for reading and Namaste! (The Light in me recognizes the Light in you!)