For a description of yoga classes that we offer please follow the links below:

• Joints and Glands
• Hatha Yoga
• Meditation
• Yoga Nidra

See also:

• Integrating Health and Spirituality

For contact details in Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney, click here.

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About Yoga

The word yoga comes from Sanskrit language. The root of the word is "yuj”, meaning to join, to unite, to attach. The English word "yoke" is related to it. The term yoga thus defines the end-result of all practices undertaken by a committed spiritual aspirant as complete union with the Universal Mind. Such union may be defined differently by different people, depending on their background, life philosophy, and perspective of the world.

As such, the term yoga defines the goal, rather than the method. This also explains why so many different approaches to yoga carry this name in their method: jnana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, laya yoga, kundalini yoga, hatha yoga, tantra yoga, etc. Please refer to the book “Choosing a Path”[1] for an outline of the various pathways leading to yoga.

While the goal is clearly stated in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the foundational text of yoga written more than 2,000 years ago, the term yoga as it is used nowadays rarely acknowledges this. Familiarity with the eight steps, or limbs, of yoga described in the above mentioned Yoga Sutras is necessary to properly understand the yoga system.

Most "yoga" classes tend to focus on the physical aspects of yoga, which are only one part of the yoga system systematized by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Yoga has thus come to be regarded as a form of exercise, of achieving fitness, or of losing weight. Some other often cited benefits include relaxation, improved breath, and reducing stress. More benefits of yoga practice are listed below.

Yoga, in the proper meaning of the term as complete union with the Universe, however cannot be attained by any number of physical postures or breathing exercises, or both, regardless of how liberating they may be from the innumerable tensions and energetic blockages in our body. For any of these tensions, there are even subtler tensions in the unconscious mind that caused these relatively superficial tensions in the physical body, and who have to be addressed with methods that work at that level. Internal dialogue, sense withdrawal, concentration and yoga nidra practices are thus employed to further deepen the calm and clarity of the mind.

Ultimately, however, only regular meditation practice can completely resolve tensions at all levels (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual). Everything else mentioned above represents only preparation, and, by themselves, the effect of the above methods is only temporary. Only proper, regular meditation makes positive changes permanent in our life. The importance of proper and regular meditation following a systematic approach as a means to integrate progress obtained through all other preparatory methods cannot be over-stated. Only when all these tensions that act as separations between the individual mind and the Universal Mind are removed, we can truly contemplate the true goal of the practice.

 

Our approach

For an outline of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition system, please see "Himalayan Yoga Tradition".

Yoga classes in our tradition are primarily focused on developing awareness (as opposed to physical performance). A typical class integrates elements from all steps of yoga practice (physical postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation), aiming to effect a positive change at all levels of personality: physical, energetic (pranic), mental, and spiritual.

Asanas are performed meditatively, with complete attention at all levels (physical, energy, mental). Breathing exercises are used to further deepen the relaxing effect of the physical postures. Systematic relaxation is used to integrate the effect of the previous steps. Meditation is then used to deepen that integration, to relax and re-focus the mind on its true source.

 

Benefits

Yoga is a holistic process that works on all levels of a person's personality. Benefits that one can get from the regular practice are tremendous, however changes in a person happen slowly (one should therefore not expect instant results).

One of the first effects of practice is often a lessening of stress. This is very beneficial for most people, because stress is such a big part of modern life. The student learns to relax, and soon that relaxation permeates his or her life, and can also be felt by others. Over some time, the student's mind may become more ordered and focused. Then he or she is able to make choices and decisions regarding life rather than just unconsciously react to situations. This may result in further relaxation and also in more fulfilment. As the student masters certain basic practices, more advanced practices may be introduced by the teacher. 

Just like creating a beautiful garden, Yoga is a long-term endeavour.  Consistent practice, with devotion and energy waters and nurtures this garden, so that the beautiful flowers begin to bloom, and the garden becomes a place of refuge and rest for oneself and others. In this process the effort rests with the practitioner, while the teacher can only guide and support the student. Regularity, punctuality and a systematic way of practice are paramount.

Some of the many great benefits that yoga offers are:

	Release deep body tensions
	Stronger, healthier and more flexible body
	Strengthening of major joints
	Stimulation of all important glands
	Straight, reinforced spine without tension
	Full, deep diaphragmatic breath – better oxygenation of the brain and the whole body
	Positive effects on cardiovascular, digestive and excretory system
	Relaxation of the nervous system and stress reduction
	Creation and maintaining positive energy and a good mood
	Sound, clear and focused mind
	Improvement of concentration and patience in a daily life
	A sense of fullness, stability and happiness in life
	Inner balance

There is also increasing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of yoga at both physical and mental level. When properly practiced, yoga re-balances the nervous and endocrine systems that in turn influence all other systems and organs in the body. Through the practice of yoga we develop coordination between our emotional, mental and physical levels, restoring the proper control from the nervous and endocrine system and ultimately improving body physiology. An integrated yoga practice also prevents the aging process by keeping the body clean, flexible and in good condition. The "Joints and Glands" exercises taught in the Himalayan Tradition are ideal for this and can be practiced at any age, and adapted for various physical limitations.

Yoga practice often supports therapy and was found to be very beneficial in a variety of physical (e.g. hypertension, asthma, shortness of breath, pain management, back pain, arthritis) and psychological (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression) conditions. The list can continue. The connection between health, spiritual practice and a holistic approach to healing is outlined in the article "Integrating Health with Spirituality".

Undoubtedly, yoga is beneficial to many areas of life. Such benefits are natural by-products of the deep and profound approach to life and its problems that yoga offers. While such benefits are real, they are only the beginning and yoga practitioners should not miss out on the other, more powerful and long-lasting benefits of yoga.

For a committed practitioner, however, the benefits listed above are not the goal. Himalayan sages have always stated that yoga is samadhi, the highest state of consciousness. In other words, the benefit of yoga is yoga.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

• Do you use music for exercise or relaxation?

We do not use music during classes. Through our method one learns to focus internally and to deepen their understanding of their own mind, including to relax without the use of external sounds. True relaxation is to be found only inside. Physical postures equally require complete internal focus.

 

• Why does it take so long to perform an asana?

We perform asanas as a means to deepen our understanding of ourselves. Such understanding has to start at the most external level, the physical body. Asanas are performed meditatively, to allow our focus to deepen. Balance, breathing and mind focus are to be witnessed constantly.

The tendency to focus only on the physical aspects of the asanas is not encouraged. Without an integration of movement at prana level there is little effective change, but such approach may inadvertently damage the body. More subtle damage may not be perceived at the time, but often results in suffering later on in life. Please refer to the book “Philosophy of Hatha Yoga”[2] for a complete explanation of our approach to physical postures.

 

• Why teach meditation from the beginning? Shouldn't one first master the previous steps in yoga (e.g. physical posture, breathing)?

Yoga is an integrated system. The various steps are not sequential, but rather are to be developed in parallel. As the overall understanding of the student develops, for each step a new, deeper meaning may be discovered. For example, the social and personal observances (see Yoga Sutras of Patanjali) gain a different meaning as a result of regular, systematic practice. Similarly, asanas and breathing practices are subtly, but very powerfully improved by regular meditation and yoga nidra practice.

This helps a student to establish a powerful connection between his or her mind, breath and body. One also starts paying attention to what they eat, how they speak, move, sleep, interact with others, what emotions and thought they have, what mood they are in, etc. This leads to living one’s life more consciously and purposefully.