Yoga means “union” and is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means to join. On a macro level, it is the individual consciousness merging with the higher consciousness. On a micro level, the union we aim to achieve is that of body, breath and mind, harmonizing and balancing our health, thoughts, and emotions.

 

“Samatvam” in Sanskrit means equipoise and balance. We work on keeping ourselves balanced in the duality which is life - balance of mind, whether in success or failure, gain or loss, pleasure or pain, and that is the reflection of a true Yogi.

 

The swan in the logo symbolizes purity. When given a mixture of milk and water, the swan is said to be able to only drink the milk, signifying the great ability to discriminate (Viveka). Yoga leads to inner clarity which eventually leads us to cultivate that power of discrimination both on a materialistic and deeper level. 

​

Yoga begins with the practice of objective awareness: Are you aware of your posture as you are reading this? Are you aware of your breath? Are you able to keep your mind focused, or is the mind distracted? 

​

Our journey starts with the body, which is the most visible and tangible and slowly penetrates to all the different layers – the breath, the mind, the emotions and beyond.

​

Most diseases today are psycho-somatic, with their origins in the mind, and the symptoms appearing in the body. Yoga aims to work both on symptom relief and on the cause, calming and helping the mind manage stress.

​

There are many forms of Yoga:

​

Hatha Yoga (Yoga to balance the body), which consists of:

​

Asana: Physical postures which lead to strength, suppleness and stamina. 

Pranayama: Expanding the energy which is channeled through the breath. 

Mudras and Bandhas: Gestures and Locks which redirect the flow of energy.

Shatkarmas: The six cleansing practices namely Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Kapalbhati, Nauli and Trataka (which cleanse all the different cavities of the body and mind, to remove energy blocks. Must be learnt under supervision.

​

Raja yoga (Yoga for the mind): This forms the Classical Ashtanga Yoga (from the ancient Sanskrit text, The Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali, consisting of:

​

1. Yama (Social Codes of Conduct)

2. Niyama (Personal Codes of Conduct)

3. Asana (Postures)

4. Pranayama (Prana = energy; Ayama = expansion)

The first four, form Bahiranga Yoga (to work with the external aspects of ourselves).

 

5. Pratyahara (Turning the awareness inward)

6. Dharana (Concentration)

7. Dhyana (Meditation)

8. Samadhi (a state of Absolute Union)

These four form Antaranga Yoga (to work with the Inner aspects of ourselves).

 

There are also the paths of Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion), Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action), Nada Yoga (Yoga of Sound), Gyana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge), to name a few.

​

These paths can be explored on their own, or in combination with the others. The reason for the many paths are that all of us have different personalities, and we will eventually find a path(s) that resonates with our personality.

​