What is jivamukti Yoga?

Jivamukti Yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. The Jivamukti Method is grounded in the original meaning of the Sanskrit word asana as “seat, connection” – relationship to the earth. Earth implies all of life.

The five tenets of jivamukti Yoga

Jivamukti Classes

We offer Jivamukti Yoga classes and courses of study. Currently we are regularly offering: The Open Class, Spiritual Warrior, In-Class Private (ICP), Basics Series, and Vinyasa. Learn about each of the classes in detail below.

THE OPEN CLASS

The most comprehensive Yoga class in the world. Whether you’re a beginner, deciphering 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 onto your mat.
You work at your own pace, following the teacher’s verbal as well as hands-on guidance. Asana (posture) options will be provided for beginners, intermediate and advanced students
An Open class presents 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: you might practice to a shifting soundtrack of ragas, global trance, hip-hop, spoken word, George Harrison, Sting, Krishna Das, Donna de Lory, Michael Franti, Bill Laswell, Alice Coltrane and Mozart.
The class is called “Open” because it is open and suitable to all levels of practitioner. Even so, beginning level students should know that there will not be much detailed “how to do” descriptions; for that a student is advised to attend a Basic or Beginner Vinyasa Class. The length of an Open class may differ at different centers, so please check the schedule for the center you are attending.

SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

A full Practice. In one hour.
Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior classes are designed for busy people who only have an hour to practice. The class is fast paced and invigorating and is certainly a “get-in-shape” class.
The structure is a fixed set sequence instructed in a vinyasa style. It is a fully balanced class which includes asana warm-up, chanting, setting of intention, surya namaskar, standing poses, backbends, forward bends, twists, inversions, meditation and relaxation. The teacher focuses on keeping the pace moving and does not stop to give spiritual discourses. Since the asana sequence is always the same, a student will pick it up quite quickly after only a couple of classes.

In-Class Private

An In-Class Private™ (ICP) may be the best yoga class you’ve ever taken. During your regular group class, another teacher individually assists you throughout, refining and adding depth to your practice. In the hands of a certified Jivamukti teacher, you are comfortably guided through each and every movement of the class experience. Whether you are sitting, standing or moving through vinyasa, the teacher skillfully offers hands-on assists that take the recipient deeper into their practice. It is not just the physical form that benefits, as the subtle body is also energetically moved into alignment. Often psychological blockages prevent us from experiencing the inherent bliss of yoga. Sometimes, no matter how long we practice or how hard we try, we are unable to reach the next level. Through the guidance and trust created during an ICP, anxiety and fear diminish and self-confidence grows, allowing for major breakthroughs to occur. The ICP experience is unique to the Jivamukti Method and as therapeutic as a full body massage.

BASICS SERIES

The Fundamentals class provides the underlying structure to help a student be able to eventually enter into an Open class intelligently and safely. Whereas in the Open and Spiritual Warrior classes vinyasa is emphasized, in the Fundamentals class alignment is the emphasis. Students are taught “how to do” asanas as well as the use of props. The Fundamentals class provides the underlying structure to help a student be able to eventually enter into an Open class intelligently and safely. Beginners are encouraged to take all four weeks of the Fundamentals course. Intermediate and advanced students will also benefit from exploring the alignment essentials presented in these classes. It is advisable that a student 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 and can also take as many classes as they want each week. This class is suitable for beginners, but open to all levels of practitioner. The length of a Fundamentals class may vary at different centers, so please check the schedule for the location you are attending. Each Jivamukti Fundamentals class is part of a four-week course that explores a different theme each week: • Week One: Standing Asanas • Week Two: Forward Bending Asanas • Week Three: Backward Bending Asanas • Week Four: Turning It Upside Down and Putting it All Together

VINYASA

Put the Fundamentals class together in a real class setting! This slow moving, deep exploratory class provides the student with the underlying basics of how a vinyasa practice works. Vinyasa is a method of practicing asana (physical poses), where the asanas are presented in a sequence, flowing one to the next. The practice focuses on aligning one’s breath and spiritual intention with movement. This slow moving, deep exploratory class provides the student with the underlying basics of how a vinyasa practice works. Vinyasa is a method of practicing asana (physical poses), where the asanas are presented in a sequence, flowing one to the next. The practice focuses on aligning one’s breath and spiritual intention with movement. The class follows a set sequence of asanas but is presented at a slower, more relaxed pace than in the Spiritual Warrior class. There is only minimal focus on basic alignment, the main emphasis being on breathing while holding asanas as well as on transitioning into and out of asanas gracefully and safely. Beginner Vinyasa classes provide a good transition for a beginner student from Basic classes to the Spiritual Warrior or Open classes and provide an opportunity for a more advanced student to refine their skills through a more detailed exploration of the asanas presented and how they can flow together seamlessly by means of steady paced ujjayi breathing. This class is suitable for beginners, but open to all levels of practitioner.

© Jivamukti Yoga Collective NYC 2024

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