Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." - The Bhagavad Gita -
Yoga is the path to liberation. Very simple - Yoga is already within all of us, we cannot "do" Yoga - we are Yoga. Yoga liberates us from our minds, from conditioning of our past by family, education, society and from limiting beliefs in order to reach our fullest potential, our true Self.
The Yogic Path has according to Patanjali 8 limbs, which are the Yamas and Niyamas, ethical ways of living, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Concentration, Meditation and Samadhi or Bliss.
The practice of Yoga is not limited to physical excercise on the mat but really starts with implenting the Yamas and Niyamas into one's daily life. By living in nonviolance, without greed, over excess, in truth to ourselves and others, in contentment, purity and a certain amount of discipline we are able to overcome the so called Kleshas, or sources of suffering. These five points are Ignorance, Overidentification with Ego, Attachment or Desire, Aversions and Fear of Death.
By refining our physical bodies through Asana practice and Pranayama, and by calming the mind through Meditation we shed ourselves from old beliefs and conditionings and work towards liberation.
Asana means much more than just posture, it means seat and connection to the Earth. One of the most important Sutras of Patanjali says "sthiram sukham asanam", this explains not only how the state of each asana should be but also our connection to daily life, to others, to Earth. "sthiram" - consistent and steady, "sukham" - joyful. Thus, we are not only practicing asana on the mat, asana is a tool to grow and improve the relationships to oneself and others and following leading to balance, a harmonious life and freedom.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti is next to Jnana (Knowledge), Karma (Action) and Raja (Meditation) Yoga on of the four pillars of the Yogic Path and its direct translation is devotion. The root of the word Bhakti lies in the Sanskrit word bhaj; "to serve God". Practicing Bhakti Yoga means selfless devotional service and the acknowledgement of the Divine in everything around and within us.
The Bhagavad Gita, one of the ancient texts of Hinduism, was one of the first sources that named Bhakti as a tool for spiritual growth by seeing the union of the individual (atman) and universal (Brahman) consciousness.
Chanting Mantra, connecting with Deities, Japa Meditation and the act of selfless service are ways to practice the path of Bhakti.
What is Yoga?
Yoga practice with Us
Vinyasa - the base of these classes lies on the Ashtanga and Jivamukti Method. The most important practice is linking movement to breath and the sequence of each class is build around a certain framework and will be adjusted to the students level. Hands-on assists, chanting of Mantra or Sutras, short meditation and final relaxation are parts of each class.
Yin - the essence of Yin Yoga is to move from an active to a passive state of being. Asana are held up to five minutes and so allow the body and mind to calm down, to release tension and stuck emotions not only from superficial muscle groups but also from deeper layers of fascia. In combination with Sound, we allow ourselves to fully restore and renew and it is a beautiful practice to integrate plant medicine journeys and gives the chance to fully surrender into the stillness of the present moment.
Pre & Postnatal - The process and initiation of motherhood is an immense transition in every woman's life. Pre & Postnatal Yoga is a wonderful preparation into this new circle of life, not only on a physical level by reducing pain, tension and preparing body and breath for birth and later on through reclaiming a woman's body postpartum, but also on a spiritual level. The connection to the growing baby is growing and it obviously has calming effects on the mind and nervous system of both mother and child.
Currently online classes available on request - get in touch!
Yoga & Plant Medicine
“The Siddhis are attained by yogic practices from previous lifetimes, or by special plants, mantric repetition, asceticism, or by meditation.” – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Even Patanjali wrote that working with special plants, here talking about Soma, a plant mentioned by the Bhagavad Gita, the Rig Vedas and in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The concept of Plant Medicine is nothing new in Hinduism, however many Yogis share the opinion, that plant medicines are speeding up the way to the Divine and it does not belong to the tradtitional Yogic Path. The Medicine on the other side is telling something different - the teachings of Yoga and of Ayahuasca are walking hand in hand, sharing the same vision and creating the same pathways in our mind and soul - liberation, freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs and opening up the connection to our true Self.
The practice of Yoga Asana during retreats is an important element of our work, calming down our minds by linking breath to movement, defining our physical bodies by feeling the connection to the Earth is first of all very grounding and helps integrating and processing messages received in ceremony.
"He who offers to me with devotion only a leaf, or a flower, or a fruit, or even a little water, this I accept from that yearning soul, because with a pure heart it was offered with love."
Krishna, The Bhagavad Gita