“I experienced openings far deeper and larger than I have with any other style of yoga in the last ten years.” – Malaya K.
“Definitely a deeper understanding of the philosophy behind the physical practice. That is very important to me.” – Julia S.
“I know my spine is saying, ‘Thank you!!’” – Dana C.
“I realize I have the power to open myself up to the energies of pure bliss.” – Emilie H
Svaroopa® yoga offers a significantly different paradigm in yoga poses. Our practice is both physical and more than physical.
We specialize in the inner opening. Svaroopa® yoga poses release the tensions in the deepest layers of your body – the layers of muscles wrapped around your spine.
This opens up conscious access to the ever–expanding inner realms of your own being. Rather than using hatha yoga as a sophisticated form of exercise, Svaroopa® yoga pursues the understanding of the deeper purposes of yoga: the understanding of your own essential nature.
Yoga Journal says, “This style of yoga teaches different ways of doing familiar poses, emphasizing the opening of the spine by beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each spinal area. Every pose integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy, and yoga philosophy, and emphasizes the development of transcendent inner experience, which is called svaroopa by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. This is a consciousness-oriented yoga that also promotes healing and transformation.”
Amrit Ayurveda describes Svaroopa® yoga as “one of the few styles that considers the yoga practice itself to be a transformative experience in itself. Beginning level classes focus on deep, supported poses for spinal release. Continuing level as well as advanced classes add to this an exploration of how to use the body and yet still keep the spine open.”
Yoga International’s article on Svaroopa® yoga’s Magic Four describes it this way: “Svaroopa® yoga is not exercise. You don’t need exercise. You need a scientific maximization of your body’s capacity, dissolving the tensions that inhibit your body’s natural functioning and inherent healing capacity. The release of the inner blocks allows you to live in an inner ease, in your body and in your self, that is your birthright.”
When your body is contracted, it shuts down and you lose the ability to feel it. Svaroopa® yoga uses precise alignments in carefully selected poses, along with meticulous placement of props, to open up the deepest tensions of your body.
As soon as you experience this physical opening, you realize that something has opened all the way through your whole being. The physical changes are profound and reliable, but they become less significant to you as the practice provides an inner transformation that gives you new eyes through which to see. Your life and the whole world begin to look perfect, even though it is the same world that used to drive you to despair. The most profound shift is the inner one.
Reproduced with permission from Master Yoga Foundation
