The teachings of yoga begin now
Yoga is vigilance, awareness and stillness of the mind
Yoga frees you from the drama, the tragedy, the saga your mind creates and allows you to experience your true self.
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali- translation from Pitanjali the Shaman- Alberto Villoldo Ph.D.
Metta River practices and teaches Integrative yoga, integrating many sources which we view as in alignment with the classic Yoga model. Integrative yoga is more of a philosophy than a series of yoga asana (postures). We believe in bringing yoga back to its roots as a healing art and sharing this art with as many people as appropriate to receive our teachings un-obstructed. This is one reason why we always limit our class sizes to a manageable number.
Although there are many translations from Sanskrit for the word Yoga one translation is “Union”, union of the self (you) and the supreme self (everyone and everything). We see our Yoga practice as a divine path to connecting our true higher selves with the infinite and all that is.
Our yoga practice is very dynamic. We use Pitanjali’s limbs of Yoga as a model to our instruction. They are:
Yama – ethics
Niyama – restraints
Asana – yoga postures
Pranayama – accessing energy through the breath
Pratyahara – sense withdrawal
Dharana - concentration
Dhyana - meditation
Samadhi – ecstasy
The physical practice we use in our classes is rooted in but not limited to the physical aspect of Hatha yoga. Ha-tha or Sun Moon Yoga is designed to bring the Sun-Moon, Positive- Negative, Light-Dark, Male-Female, ect. aspects of the practitioner into balance/union. Some of the asana we practice can be physically challenging but we always have adjustments so that anyone can participate. More often people are challenged by co-ordination and subtle movements that we present in class which oftentimes hold the key to opening areas that need our attention to build strength, flexibility, or increase co-ordination. Having a Yoga practice that challenges the student on many levels can open untapped areas of the brain and stimulate the central nervous system increasing brain function, boosting the immune system, and reducing stress by bringing more peace and tranquility into the life of the practitioner. Students often receive adjustments and personal attention in our classes that can be life changing.
In addition to our physical practice we always use pranayama- Breathing exercises which not only improve the health of our physical body but also stimulate our energetic body and calm the mind by increasing our awareness.
We use mudras- Gestures with the hands and sometimes other parts of the body which act as antenna stimulating the energetic body in very specific ways.
We include Chanting- In classic yoga shubda- soundless sound, the sound of creation is what brought this reality into being. Energy has different vibrations and frequencies. When we chant we are stimulating specific aspects of the physical, energetic, psycho emotional, core belief, and spiritual bodies ultimately creating integration throughout all the bodies.
Classic yoga texts often say you are increasing the benefits of your yoga practice a thousand fold by chanting.
Throughout our classes we discuss and educate not only on the aspects of Yoga but also on the fundamentals of anatomy physiology and health.
We hope you come and join us when we Play Yoga!