Our yoga instructor just had her second baby and is on leave. We are not currently offering yoga classes at The Moving Body Studio, but please check back with us to find out when classes may resume.
In the meantime, there are many wonderful studios and teachers in the area. If you’d like guidance, please talk with one of us for suggestions.
About Yoga
Yoga is an ancient science, originating in India four or five thousand years ago. Known most commonly in the U.S. as a series of poses which stretch the body, yoga is actually a set of guidelines for all parts of everyday life. Hatha yoga, which is the branch of yoga dealing with physical fitness, was the first aspect of yoga widely practiced in the U.S.
Many yoga students quickly discover that the practice is about a lot more than stretching. Most yoga practices involve specific breathing exercises known as pranayama, which not only increase breathing capacity and strengthen abdominal muscles, but focus energy as well. Yoga often leads people to meditation, as concentration on one’s present experience is central to the asana class experience.
The word yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, and ultimately the discipline is about achieving union with something greater than oneself. The balancing of the body and controlling of the mind that result from practicing yoga postures are steps in this process. Spiritual devotion (bhakti yoga), selfless service (karma yoga), and study of philosophical and spiritual texts (jnana yoga) are other paths toward this same end.
The sages of ancient India from whom the teachings and traditions of yoga came realized the importance of the body in making spiritual progress. The practice of yoga asanas was developed to strengthen the back to facilitate long periods of sitting meditation. In order to eliminate the distractions presented by the body, a series of exercises that strengthen and stretch through forward and backward bending, standing and balancing, inversions, twisting, and relaxing were developed. Instructions are also given on proper breathing techniques and ways of eating which are most beneficial to a healthy body.Viniyoga The yoga you will encounter at The Moving Body, Viniyoga, is a tradition that draws on the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya, widely accepted as one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century. In addition to instructing TKS Desikachar, his son, and student for more the 50 years, in the span of his 100 years, Krishnamacharya also taught such important figures as Pattabhi Jois, BKS Iyengar, and Indra Devi. His most sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of yoga was passed on to his son Desikachar and is the foundation for Viniyoga.
Desikachar received Western-style training in engineering before he became interested in pursuing the study of yoga, and Viniyoga reflects both his respect for the ancient teachings and a personal, scientific exploration thereof. The result is a unique approach to asana (postures) that requires the postures to serve the practitioner. The practice becomes not so much to achieve the shape of the posture, but to experience its essence so that full benefit can be obtained. A student new to Viniyoga will also immediately notice how the breath not only accompanies but also informs - and takes precedence over - the physical movements. The use of chanting and sound to train the breath and the mind is also an important aspect of this work.
Each class is geared to serve the needs and the interests of those present, and is carefully sequenced to create a profound effect on both body and mind. Every session begins with chanting and ends with relaxation, and often incorporates a short meditation practice and philosophical teachings of the tradition.
The teachers show concern for individual students’ problems/needs.
Sheila