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Sun,
a banner of goodness. |
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~Namaste~
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Many
styles, one Yoga- Yoga originated over 5,000 years ago, according to archaeologists' findings on seals and pottery from the ancient Indus Valley river civilization in northwest India/Pakistan. There, the earliest pictographs of Surya Namaskaram, the Salute to the Sun, and evidence of the worship of a chthonic, creative force connected intimately to the elements and represented by symbols from nature emerged. Around 250-500 BCE, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali were written, giving a context for the comprehensive stages of Yoga practice as eight-limbed Yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. This Eight-Limbed Yoga is Ashtanga Yoga. How did Yoga arrive in the West? (more...) |
Avoiding
Spiritual Materialism There are now many diverse interpretations of what Yoga is, especially here in America, where people have arrived at the practice of Yoga largely through exposure to Asana, looking for a way to relax and heal the body. The Asana practice of posture can be taught in so many ways. There is the Vinyasa method of linkage between movement and breath, popularized as "flow" or "power" Yoga. In the method popularized by BKS Iyengar there is a more contemplative physical practice with less instruction on breathing, but with intricate concentration on alignment, engaging longer holds in postures with little or no movement between postural transitions. The Ashtanga Vinyasa school of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is a more vigorous but progressive, stage-oriented practice that is derived from a text called the Yoga Korunta, which gives the exact postures in order that is now known as the Primary, Secondary, and Third Series. (more...) |
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This
is a rare opportunity to study Sanskrit and delve into the meanings,
teachings and original melodies of universal Yoga chants for peace
and transformation. |
| New Classes ~ Los Gatos Locations & Info |
| THURSDAYS
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Join us on a journey that
will nourish your Spirit through twice-daily practices of pranayama,
asana, and meditation, in sight of the lapis blue Aegean and Libyan
seas bordering Crete, and the stunning cliffs of Santorini. This
Yoga retreat includes seminars on Minoan culture and guided tours
during several excursions for those coming on the two-weeks session.
In Crete we will visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, which was
a center of trade between ancient peoples of the Mediterranean,
as well as the epicenter of Minoan religious activity, culture
and government; and the incredible National Archaelogical Museum
of Crete. In Santorini will visit Nea Kameni volcano by boat and
the adjacent ocean hotsprings and see the Minoan settlement of
Akrotiri and Akrotiri Museum. |
 October
7th-21st |
Twice-daily,
complete practice in pranayam, asana, meditation with special courses
in philsophy and chanting near the Ganga river. Meet with modern
siddhas and explore the living Yogic culture. On this relaxing but
well-paced trip we take one week of practice in at Parmarth Niketan
Ashram in Rishikesh, then three days in Haridwar, where we will
visit a wildlife reserve. On either end of the trip we will stay
over in Delhi and Agra to see the incredible forts and the Taj Mahal,
from the Mughal era.There are many optional excursions to temples,
Vasisth cave, historic sites. Follow your heart to the amazing people
and traditions of India... (more
details) |
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