Yoga

Short history of Yoga, and the Yogic practices offered through The Path Yoga Shala

In Classical Yogic Tradition there are three Paths: Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, and Gnana Yoga, the yoga of the intellect. Raja Yoga, the Way of Kriya, is called the Royal Path, this combines all three, and includes Ashtanga Yoga (also called Himalayan Vinyasa).

Under RajYog (Raja Yoga) are various branches, such as, Hatha, Kriya (specific techniques), Kundalini, Tantra, Mantra, Yantra, Lay and Nada. The most popular of these in the West are Hatha, Kriya and Kundalini.

There are numerous modern versions of Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Bikram / Hot Yog, and branded styles, such as, Iyengar Yoga. What is offered through The Path Yoga Shala is an authentic Yogic Path that works through the physical, mental and spiritual bodies, connecting us to our True Nature (the Self / Atman / Soul). The key question being, “Do you practice yoga, or do you live it?” Yoga is a way of life, not a practice, but rather sadhana is the repetitive practice of your life.

A fundamental part of this is the cleansing process to remove blockages, offering strong healing potential for the body, the mind and the emotions.

So, here is The Path offered through Pink Tantra Towards Awakening and The Path Yoga Shala.

Steps towards healing and awakening.

From a tantra perspective, the body is the temple, our divine tool through which to take the steps towards healing and awakening. We start with the senses, connecting to who we truly are in the gross body, progressing to the energetic (subtle) body, we bring ourselves inwards rather than seeking validation and gratification externally. From here we can move to the beyond (the causal body / karmic sheaf).

Below are three key steps to better connect to your body, (Step 1) through therapeutic yoga you can start to heal and connect the physical to the energetic body, (Step 2) through the yoga of inner awareness. you can slow everything down, bringing your body, mind and emotions to a place of ease as you progress on your spiritual path. (Step 3) a suitable venue is currently being sought for in-person programmes.

Step 1 - Therapeutic Yoga (Online)

Thank you so much for teaching this. Your style and teaching points are excellent and just what I relate to. David.

Yoga is a science and a philosophy to unite the finite with infinity, ie, us with universal consciousness. Yog(a) is a practical approach to how we live our life and progress towards union (individual and universal consciousness). It is an experiential and experimental discipline to break the pattern of repetitive cycles of thought, to see and be seen in our True Nature; that is, for self-realisation (liberation).

What we tend to think of as Yoga in the West, Asanas, is but one aspect of a yogic approach. Indeed, an Asana is a whole-body practice where we can witness how things arise, are sustained, dissolve, or transform. Unlike much Western thinking around Asanas, they are a process, not a final product or a perfect alignment. As each body is different and responds differently to gravity, with muscles, tone, etc, we embrace variation, adapting to find our unique embodiment of the Asana.

We come to notice where we are in the moment. Where we are right now, is where we are, and we bring a focus to what we need right now. This is not about fixing something. You are not broken. It is a form of exploration and enquiry for acceptance at the energetic/subtle level. This is what makes Yog(a) a science and an art.

Practically, we will be using a synthesis of;

• asanas (postures),

• movement and breathwork (pranayama),

• mantras and chanting,

• meditation and visualisation,

• aligned to the main chakras (energy centres).

We are working therefore with the physical body and the energetic/subtle body, as a vehicle to go Beyond the body.

Some Myths:

• I don't have a yoga body. Ditch this! Yoga, in its traditional practice, is the most inclusive of all body types and abilities. Yoga works with who you are, where you are at, and takes you inwards to your true self.

• I can't do all these backbends and fancy poses. Neither can I, discard this! Yoga works best when we slow things down, it is gentle and heartfelt. The priority is to come to 'ease' in your body, mind and emotions.

• I will never be as good as the rest. Disregard this kind of thinking. In yoga we accept we are already that which we are seeking to be, we just need to reconnect to our true self. There is no competition, no need to improve, only the need to practice.

I have set up a number of online therapeutic sessions which might be of interest to you:

• Therapeutic Yoga for Joint Pain, Tuesday’s for 4 weeks, from 1 April 2025, 10-11am BST. Fed up with continuous joint pain? See how much relief you can gain in just 4 weeks of therapeutic yoga.

• Therapeutic Yoga and Hip Opening, Wednesday’s for 4 weeks, from 2 April 2025, 10-11am BST. Fed up with constricted hips, tightness and muscle tension? See how open you can become in just 4 weeks of therapeutic yoga.

• Therapeutic Yoga for Back Pain, Monday’s for 4 weeks, from 7 April 2025, 10-11am BST. Fed up with low level, continuous back pain? See how much relief you can gain in just 4 weeks of therapeutic yoga.

Step 2 - Kundalini Tantra Yoga (Online)

Kundalini Tantra Yoga is the yoga of inner awareness. This is more suitable for those on a spiritual path, where we slow everything right down, bringing our body, mind and emotions to a place of ease. Here we work with stillness through Asanas, Pranayama, Bandhas, Mudras, Mantras and Meditation / Visualisation. The emphasis is on taking a journey through the physical, energetic and spiritual bodies, to the beyond.

The benefits:

·       Builds strength and stamina in the body.

·       Calms the mind and the emotions.

·       Brings a sense of inner peace.

·       Relaxation, wellbeing and overall stress reduction through stimulating the body’s natural healing processes and immune system.

·       Enhances inner awareness as a stepping stone towards awakening.

Kundalini Tantra Yoga, Monday’s for 4 weeks, from 7 April 2025, 2-3pm BST. The yoga of inner awareness and presence. How present are you?

Step 3 - please note I am currently seeking a suitable venue for in-person programmes.

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