Anusara Yoga

Yogaschool|name=Anusara Yoga
color=green
bgcolor=white
religious_origins=Hinduism
regional_origins=The Woodlands, Texas, USA
founding_guru=John Friend
popularity=Growing from the late 20th century
derivatives=
related_schools=
practice_emphases=alignment, "heart opening" postures and the spiritual and meditative aspects of hatha yoga
other_topics=Tantra

Anusara Yoga is a modern school of yoga started by John Friend in 1997; it is a popular hatha yoga style with a Tantric philosophy. Friend continues to take an active role leading the expansion of the school and training (and certifying) teachers.

The emphasis of the school is on a set of "Universal Principles of Alignment" which underlie all postures, "heart opening" postures and the spiritual/meditative benefits of hatha yoga.

Attainable bliss and joy in practice and everyday life are an important aspect of the underlying philosophy of this school. Many western students with a modernist bent find this school attractive.

According to American yoga magazine, Yoga Journal, Anusara Yoga is "the ultimate American (western) yoga: It's upbeat, optimistic, entrepreneurial, systematic, and do-it-yourself-friendly, and...It's spiritual but not dogmatic. It creates a sense of community. And it appeals to Westerners' pioneering spirit by suggesting that there is yet another frontier to conquer—the one inside us." [ [http://www.yogajournal.com/views/1331_1.cfm www.yogajournal.com] ]

Philosophy

The underlying philosophy of this school of hatha yoga is Tantric in nature. As such, the manifest universe (perceived through our senses and mind) is seen as a manifestation of the Divine. The nature of the Divine − God, the undifferentiated Absolute, the Essence of everything and everyone, the Transcendental − is pure bliss. The nature of God, by its very definition, is absolute and free of any limitations.

In a grand game of "hide and seek", the Absolute seeks to experience its own blissful nature by creating a vast, infinite diversity of form.

Opening Invocation

Traditionally an Anusara yoga class might open with the singing of the following mantra:

The Three A's - Attitude, Alignment, Action

The practice of Anusara Yoga can be broadly categorized into three parts: "Attitude", "Alignment", and "Action".

Attitude

The concept of "Attitude" is related to the Tantric concept of "Iccha Shakti", which is defined as the energy or power of fullness, or will. The concept of "Attitude" is related to the heart. "Attitude", according to John Friend, is the "power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression in an asana." It is "the aspiration to reawaken to our divine nature, and the celebration of life." [Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual (eight edition), by John Friend, page 25]

Alignment

The concept of "Alignment" is related to the Tantric concept of "Jnana Shakti", which is defined as the energy or power of awareness. The concept of "Alignment" is related to the mind. "Alignment", according to John Friend, is the "mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected." [Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual (eight edition), by John Friend, page 25]

The Universal Principles of Alignment

*Opening to Grace: The practitioner sets the intention to place oneself in alignment with the flow of Supreme Consciousness. For asana practice, this includes having an attitude of soft-hearted devotion, and open-mindedness. [http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1330_1.cfm Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara ] ]
*Muscular Energy: A drawing of energy from the periphery of the body into a central location in the body, called a Focal Point. The goal is to increase stability, strength, and physical integration in the pose. [http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1330_1.cfm Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara ] ]
*Inner Spiral: An expanding energy spiral. In the legs it runs from the feet up through the pelvis into the waistline area. Inner Spiral rotates the legs inward, moves the thighs backward, and widens the thighs and pelvis. [http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1330_1.cfm Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara ] ]
*Outer Spiral: A contracting energy spiral. In the legs it runs from the waistline area down through the tailbone and out through the legs and feet. Outer Spiral draws the pelvis and thighs closer together, moves the tailbone and thighs forward, and rotates the legs outward. [http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1330_1.cfm Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara ] ]
*Organic Energy: An outward extension of energy from the Focal Point through the core lines of the body to the body's periphery, which increases expansion, flexibility, and freedom in the pose. [http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1330_1.cfm Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara ] ]

Action

The concept of "Action" is related to the Tantric concept of "Kriya Shakti", which is defined as the energy or power of action. The concept of "Action" is related to the body. "Action", according to John Friend, is the "natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom." [Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual (eight edition), by John Friend, page 25]

John Friend draws the following analogy on the use and interplay of "Attitude", "Alignment", and "Action" in one's yoga practice:

A musician (yogi) makes music (performs an asana) by expressing his heart ("Attitude") through the playing ("Action") of a properly tuned instrument ("Alignment" of the body). The highest expression of an asana (the most beautiful music that a musician can potentially play with a particular instrument) occurs when the instrument of the body is optimally "Aligned", the "Action" is strong and balanced, and the "Attitude" is spiritually pure and powerful.

References

External links

* [http://www.anusara.com Anusara Yoga site]