What is Satyananda yoga
Most of the types of yoga we come across in the Western world have all developed from the more physically based yoga of the last century which have all stemmed from Krishnamacharya..... and include Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga, and more recently to Vinyasa Flow, and their influences can also be seen in Anusara yoga.
Satyananda yoga is very different from these 'physically orientated yogas', and deals more with one's whole being.
Swami Satyananda was a disciple of Swami Sivananda and his main ashram lies in Bihar in the North East of India. It is sometimes known as the Bihar School of Yoga.
He is about 86 years old and now does not teach anymore, but spends his time doing his own spiritaul practice. He has passed on the direction of Satyananda yoga to his successor Swami Niranjananda.
Ideal for beginners or those who wish to go deeper
It is an ideal form of yoga for beginners, as it begins very gently, but utilizes awareness of the breath from the start, and works with many layers of one's being, and one feels the relaxation benefits almost immediately, followed by the stronger physical benefits as the postures gradually get stronger as one adjusts to the practice.
It is also an excellent form of yoga, for those who may be practicing 'physical yoga' for years, but now realize there is much more to yoga than the physical practice. It is an ideal way to go more deeply inwards, get in touch with energy inside, prepare the mind for deeper meditation.... and journey more deeply inwards.
Characteristics of Satyanada yoga
The main characteristics is that it
- begins very slowly teaching the practices in a very systematic but gentle way
- teaches the importance of breath work and relaxation right from day 1
- emphasizes the importance of not straining and practicing in a reasonably effortless way without over exertion,
- places the focus on the development of awareness and one's whole being rather than on the physical
- utilizes techniques such as yoga nidra which work to transform one's mind, releasing deep down unconscious conflicts, letting go of mental tension
- deals with the full 8 limbs of Asana, Pranayama, Yamas, Niyamas, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dyana, Samadhi
- keeps alive the 6 shatkarmas and sometimes teaches jala neti to beginners
- as one becomes more aware, it introduces the chakras and main nadis such as Ida, Pingala and Sushuma
- as one becomes more proficient the Pranayama techniques include Ujjai breath sometimes known as the psychic breath, Nadi Shodana which helps bring about balance between Ida and Piungala, Bhastrika sometimes know as bellows breath or breath of fire, Kapa Bati which is known to cleanse the fore brain and also other forms of Pranayama
- The teaching of Pranayama is gradual and systematic and includes clear deepening of the practices including ratios and khumbaka
- Formal cross legged meditation is introduced when the practitioner is ready and a systematic path to meditation is available.
- Karma yoga is emphasized in order to help reduce the ego, and offer opportunities to identify and let go of inner issues which can inhibit letting go of identification with the ego tendencies
And keeps meditation as the corner stone of yoga, as it has been for over 6,000 years.
Sun Salutations
The Sun Salutations which are taught within Satyananda yoga are more traditional and offer a more balanced amount of forward and backward bends.
Photos of the Sun Salutations can be seen at http://www.burrenyoga.com/fitness-holidays/salutation-to-the-sun-satyananda.html
With practice these are performed as flowing movements synchronized with the breath, and at a later stage with awareness on the chakras associate with each of the individual postures.
There is more information and photos of Satyananda yoga classes on the website at http://www.burrenyoga.com/satyanandayoga.html
The next Satyananda yoga weekend is November 13th - 15th, and details are at http://www.burrenyoga.com/ireland-retreats/satyananda-yoga-tadhg-ferriter-nov13.html
If you are interested in a 80 minute Audio CD of a Satyananda Yoga Class taught by Dave Brocklebank at the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre you can see more information at
YOGA CDs and Audio
