YYoga

Walking into an Anusara class has a noticeably different feel to it. One of belonging and a feeling of being ‘seen.’ The teacher wants to know your name; he or she might repeat it throughout the class, cultivating a sense of trust, ease and safety within you. Your Anusara teacher is highly trained. In fact it is a guarantee. We undergo a regimented training process. We must teach yoga for two years, then immerse ourselves in the method in a series of immersions and then we embark on the actual Teacher Training portion. After the completion of the 200 hours of training, one is mentored under a Certified teacher. Once we have grasped the philosophy and the principles and are deemed ready to teach, we are granted out Anusara-Inspired status.

To further that, to become fully certified, (there are just over 300 Certified teachers in the world) one must have accumulated many study hours, a written exam and a rigorous mentorship. This is a very admirable feat and a huge accomplishment in the yoga world. A big congratulations to YYoga teachers, Christine Price Clark and Leanne Kitteridge, who were both recently fully certified. What this means for you is that you are receiving a really great yoga class. You can go to an Anusara class anywhere in the world and expect a high caliber of teaching. 

Anusara Yoga was created by John Friend; a light-hearted, charismatic Texan who began his yoga journey at 8 years old and continued to study with the world’s greatest teachers and masters. Anusara Yoga is rooted in a life-affirming Tantric Philosophy of intrinsic goodness. This means that we look for the good in all things. We embrace the light in our lives; we celebrate our unique and creative selves. According to the Anusara website, “The art of Anusara yoga is a co-participation with the Supreme—not a practice of domination, subjugation, or control of Nature. The poses in Anusara yoga are considered to be “heart-oriented,” meaning that they are expressed from the “inside out.” Instead of trying to control the body and mind from the outside, the poses originate from a deep creative and devotional feeling inside. On our mat, we endeavor to always remember the spiritual purpose or highest intention of practicing hatha yoga, including reconnecting with our innate Goodness and expressing ourselves from that divine place.” Sounds good to me! 

As well as the heart theme, co-creation and celebration, the other distinguishable traits of Anusara classes are the Universal Principles of Alignment. Your teacher will guide you through poses with detailed descriptions of alignment, moving you safely into deep poses. The practice itself is well rounded, often a fluid warm up, work on inversions such as handstands, standing postures, a peak pose, backbends and a proper cool down with seated forward folds and twists. The Principles are designed to align your body to it’s own Optimal Blueprint, a place where your body is in flow with nature, a true healing placement for the body so it can unfold gracefully.

Today, Anusara yoga is one of the most highly respected and fastest growing schools of hatha yoga in North America with an expanding presence in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

As a teacher and student, the style of Anusara and my mentors have greatly inspired my life, gave me a voice and allowed me to celebrate my individuality.

Anusara has given me great freedom to be myself and to encourage others to do the same. The students who practice Anusara are there for many reasons: the safe alignment, the challenge of the practice, the heart centered theme woven throughout, but I truly believe it is the community it creates. The Kula (community of the heart) is filled with bright, passionate souls happily co-creating their lives. The teachers are accessible, happy to chat about an injury or offer wisdom or advice. Finding Anusara yoga was a homecoming for me and teaching in this style continuously reminds me just how beautiful life is. 

I strongly suggest trying out an Anusara class if you haven’t already. YYoga offers many options such as an Anusara Foundations class which is great for beginners, as well as an advanced 2 hour practice which will serve the more intermediate to advanced practitioners. Come and feel the difference that a strong community makes. Notice what the thought provoking heart talk can create in your life and feel the shift in your body as the alignment does its work on you. 

To check out upcoming events in the Anusara community check out Vancouver’s Anusara community page.  Also look out for upcoming trainings and workshops from my teacher, the certified and world-renowned Chris Chavez! Click here to learn more about Chris Chavez's journey into Anusara yoga!