original upload Yoga Art Magazine
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METTA YOGA
“Metta” is a Pali word (maitri in Sanskrit) meaning loving-kindness, friendliness, benevolence. Yoga practiced in this manner is about befriending your body and becoming your own best friend.
Metta Yoga is the yoga of Awareness, a powerful combination of yoga, meditation, breath awareness, and intuitive healing.
It is yin (stillness) and yang (movement) yoga, blending softness and strength. You will be encouraged to compassionately explore your edge as you grow your practice, strengthen your body, expand your heart, and free your mind. You will be challenged and supported, but most importantly, reminded to bring your full attention to your body and to your breath, ending class with pranayama and mindfulness meditation.
Yin yoga has its roots in Meridian Theory and Taoist philosophy. The practice, using mindful breathing, explores long-held floor stretches while muscles are relaxed for the physical release of the connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, and fascia) of the body. Meridian theory holds that the body’s meridian system is contained in connective tissue and by therapeutically stressing and stretching the connective tissue, the flow of chi (our life force) is facilitated, thereby increasing our general health. Specifically, yin yoga targets the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis, and lower spine and the postures are held for minimum of three to five minutes.
Yin yoga is recommended for people who are chronically “stiff”, for athletes, and for anyone who wants to alleviate tight hips and low back pain. A consistent yin yoga practice will leave you feeling light, unencumbered, and relaxed. Yin yoga is a perfect complement to a vinyasa practice and students are surprised at its effect on the body and especially the mind.
Think of this as slow flow vinyasa. Vinyasa krama yoga is an ancient practice of physical and spiritual development, and is a systematic method of practicing and adapting yoga for the individual. Krama is a Sanskrit word meaning “stages.” It is a step-by-step process involving the building in gradual stages toward a “peak” within a practice session. This progression can include asanas of increasing complexity or gradually building one’s breath capacity. The breath gives information to the mind about the body, the breath gives rhythm to the practice, and the breath identifies any problems and facilitates release.
“By integrating the functions of mind, body, and breath. . .a practitioner will experience the real joy of yoga practice. . .Vinyasa krama yoga strictly follows the most complete definition of classical yoga.”
–Srivatsa Ramaswami, The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga
