What is Sattva Yoga?
Yoga is so much more than postures and a path to feeling good. It can be a path to radical transformation and that is why Sattva Yoga developed years ago in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is unlike any other style of yoga out there. Combining ancient yogic techniques as well as current evolutionary practices, it includes and transcends all aspects of yoga and is meant to take us on an expansive journey inward. It is about living with a strong spine and a soft heart. It is about building our capacity to be with life in any given moment, to respond to whatever arises in healthy, creative and appropriate ways.
We call the classes a journey because they are designed to take practitioners on a journey within that is challenging, revealing, loving and each time a bit more transformative. Each Sattva journey weaves together mantra, pranayama, kriya, vinyasa, movement and mediation. Be ready to go beyond your own resistance and self-limitations to build inner strength, vitality and mental clarity. Sattva yoga is an integrated approach that supports your intentions whether that means letting go of habits no longer serving you or wanting a more purposeful life. You are the path and the path is you. It is time to experience a full, abundant and joyous life.
Mindful living
“Paying attention. On purpose. In the present moment. With non-judgmental awareness”
Mindfulness begins with awareness. Awareness of our emotions, thoughts and habits. These all contribute to our well-being. During our trips we discuss what mindfulness is and how we integrate it into our lives. We introduce mindful practices throughout the trip and offer a personalized plan post-trip.
What is Meditation?
“Meditation isn’t about getting rid of your thoughts. It’s about learning how to be at ease with them.”
Meditation is a yogic practice for gaining mastery over the mind, over thought. In mediation we are shifting from an identity with those thoughts to identifying with our higher self, our awareness, our consciousness. It is a technique for quieting the mind and accessing stillness. A consistent mediation practice will help you:
*Feel calmer, stabilize your nervous system
*Experience increased clarity and focus
*Be less reactive and more adaptable
*Consciously choose your thoughts instead of being at the mercy of your thoughts
I begin with the basics and you will see how easy it is to have a regular practice. I offer various forms of mediation along with Sattva Meditation, a technique stemming from the Himalayan Yoga-Vedantic Tradition which consists of breath work, kriya and mantra. Travelers who already have an established practice always have the option to meditate on their own.
Transformational Breathwork
Awareness begins with the breath. The breath is a tool to calm the nervous system and bring clarity to our experiences. The breath helps us to maintain balance and grace every day. It provides that pause. It is through the breath that we transcend emotional triggers and it is the breath that makes every day stressors more manageable. We teach various techniques that correct restrictive breathing patterns, increase energy level and release stress. But most of all we teach breath that is balanced, steady and transformative.
