JIVAMUKTI YOGA
Jivamukti Yoga is a method of yoga that was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984, which reintegrates the physical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of Yoga. The emphasis in the west has been on Yoga as mostly a physical practice. More and more people are achieving firmer bodies through regular yoga classes. But many are finding something more: what starts out as a purely physical practice creeps into the hearts and minds of even the least spiritual practitioners.
David and Sharon became teachers because they were passionate about communicating Yoga as more than just a system of exercises, but also as a spiritual practice; a path to enlightenment. From their earliest classes, they have taught a living translation of the Indian system of yoga in a way that western minds can comprehend.
That is why Jivamukti Yoga emphasizes vigorous asana as its primary technique, but other practices such as meditation, devotional chanting and study of the ancient texts play an important role as well. The Jivamukti method of Yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha Yoga. The other eight being: Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral, Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini.
Jivamukti Yoga offers vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating yoga classes. Classes include Vinyasa (flowing asana sequences), hands-on adjustments, Pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, Sanskrit chanting, Yogic philosophical teachings and deep relaxation. To keep the practice inspiring, asana sequences are ever-changing with music playing an integral role in the class.
JIVAMUKTI OPEN
Whether you’re a beginner, not knowing the difference between vrksasana (tree) and sirshasana (headstand) or an advanced yogi who can put both feet behind their head, the Jivamukti Open class welcomes you, as it is open to all levels practitioners. You work at your own pace, following the teacher’s verbal as well as hands-on guidance. Asana options will be provided for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. A typical Open class incorporates the five tenets of Jivamukti Yoga: shastra (scripture), bhakti (devotion), ahimsa (kindness), nada (music) and dhyana (meditation) by presenting classical yoga teachings as relevant to one’s life on and off the mat, drawn from the Focus of the Month essay, supported by chanting, breath awareness, flowing vinyasa sequences, alignment exploration, hands-on assistance, relaxation and meditation. All Open classes include 14 points—asanas, meditation and spiritual teachings—in a sequence creatively designed by the teacher. Exuberant, eclectic music plays an integral role. The class is called “Open” because it is open and suitable to all levels of practitioners. Even so, beginning level students should know that there will not be much detailed “how to do” descriptions; for those students, it is advised to attend a Basic or Medium Class.
JIVAMUKTI MEDIUM
The Jivamukti Medium class contains all the essential key elements of a classic Jivamukti Open class (see above), but with the only difference that in the medium version, the classes are slower in speed and a bit less difficult in terms of the practice. This means they are perfect for everyone who wants to progress step-by-step from the basic classes to our classic faster moving Jivamukti Open classes. Or for anyone who – once in a while – is looking for a bit slower, less challenging class. And they are also perfect if you are already going to Open but want to work more detailed on specific asanas or sequences to further refine your practice! You will explore the sequences in details and receive more explanations than in a classic Open class.There’s a strong emphasis on balancing, inversions and unlocking the secrets to more “advance” postures. With the use of wall and prop work, this is a great class to empower, connect, and challenge you. You’ll always leave feeling elevated and you did more than you thought you could.
SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
This dynamic one hour Jivamukti yoga class is a set sequence and offers a well-rounded practice for busy people. It incorporates a setting of intention, warm up, standing poses, basic twists, seated poses, deep backbends, inversions, and seated meditation.
ASHTANGA STYLE
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga created by K.Sri Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century, often promoted as a modern-day form of classical indian yoga. He claimed to have learnt the system from his teacher, Krishnamacharya. It is an energetic form of yoga, synchronising breath with movements. The individual poses (asanas) are linked by flowing movements (vinyasas). Jois established his Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948.
MASTERCLASS
90min class with a more complex sequencing, including lifts, inversions and full back-bends. An existing understanding of yoga asana, breath work and body alignment, plus a playful curiosity, are required.
ROCKET YOGA
Rocket Yoga is a dynamic and fast-paced flow of yoga. The structure is similar to that of Ashtanga Vinyasa, consisting of a warm-up (Surya Namaskar), after which one continues in the standing poses, seated poses, and ending with the traditional closing series. In this specific class all levels are welcome and there will be variations offered for beginners.
SOUND BATH
A journey into deep relaxation for your body and mind with the healing sounds of traditional Nepali singing bowls.
During a Sound Bath, the brainwave state is altered from normal waking state (beta) to relaxed state (alpha), dreamlike state (theta) and even restorative state (delta). As the mind and body relax, the heart rate and blood pressure decrease and our breathing becomes deeper. It is in this state that deep healing can occur.
PURE FLOW YOGA
Pure Flow Yoga is characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. The classes offer a variety of postures, from warm up sequences, to standing and seated poses including twists, balancing poses, back bends and inversions. The sequencing is always changing and no two classes are ever alike.
For all those practitioners who need a dynamic workout.
SOFT FLOW YOGA
Soft Flow Yoga has the same characteristics than Pure Flow Yoga (see above) except that the pace is slower and suitable for beginners and all those who need a slower and more gentle practice.
KUNDALINI YOGA
The practice of kriyas and meditations in Kundalini Yoga are designed to raise complete body awareness to prepare the body, nervous system and mind to handle the energy of Kundalini rising. The majority of the physical postures focus on navel activity, activity of the spine, and selective pressurization of body points and meridians. Breath work and the application of bandhas (3 yogic locks) aid to release, direct and control the flow of Kundalini energy from the lower centers to the higher energetic centers. Kundalini Yoga can be understood as a tri-fold approach of Bhakti yoga for devotion, Shakti yoga for power, and Raja yoga for mental power and control. With the practice of Kundalini Yoga one is thought able to liberate oneself from one’s Karma and to realize one’s Dharma (Life Purpose). All levels are welcome.
STRONG & FLEXIBLE
The perfect balance of strength and flexibility. The class begins with a dynamic vinyasa flow integrating core and fitness drills to build up cardio, strength and endurance. It then explores a variety of stretching techniques including dynamic, isometric and active stretching which will support you not only to gain flexibility but also strength in your new range of motion.
BARRE
is a low impact 60mn workout composed of Yoga drills, the warm-up of Ballet and isotonic Pilates exercises followed by a Ballet stretching sequence . It defines toned and elongated muscles. The method can be practiced with or without props.
YOGA SCULPT
is a toning Yoga Vinyasa with main focus on detoxifying and strengthening the body through drills and exercises. It can be practiced with or without props.
YIN YOGA
is a passive Yoga practice, where the practitioner holds the poses for 3-5 Minutes in order to release the fascia and deep tissue tensions.
BASICS
Each Basic class is part of a four-week fundamentals course that explores a different focus each week:
- week one: standing poses
- week two: forward bending poses
- week three: backward bending poses
- week four: inversions, meditation and “putting it all together”
The emphasis in the basic class is alignment not vinyasa. Students are taught “how to do” asanas as well as the use of props. The Basic class provides the underlying structure to help a student be able to eventually enter into a more advanced class intelligently and safely. Beginners are encouraged to take all four weeks of the Basic course. It is advisable for a student to register for the full 4 week program starting with week one, but a student can also drop into any class at any time during the month. This class is suitable for beginners.
TRAUMA-INFORMED YOGA
Trauma-informed yoga is a special branch of yoga which helps recover from the impact of trauma on the body, brain, emotions and sense of self. The practice is focused on creating safety, learning to manage difficult emotions and beginning to address trauma-related patterns.Through the trauma held in the body, the nervous system often discharges survival responses and releases unresolved emotions. The practice also involves integration – reflecting on the recovery journey and planning for the next steps. Trauma-informed Yoga is not a substitute for therapy, however it may help with managing traumatic response mechanisms.
ONLINE CLASSES
Our online classes are either live streams or recorded sessions which you can purchase with our Mindbody system and view at your convenience while practising at home. We offer classes with our resident teachers as well as teachers from other parts of the world.