Last night I practiced the art of grace and servitude. I opened my heart shining and bright toward a cause that is greater than myself. Something bigger. More complete. All-knowing.
It was my first Anusara inspired class. Anusara yoga was started in 1997 by a man named John Friend. It is a form of Hatha yoga that is practiced based on a set of alignment principles used in everything we do.
When I asked my teacher Meaghan to describe what Anusara was all about she gave the following answer;
Anusara yoga is based on several principles of alignment that we use everyday in our lives without really realizing it. It’s about using those principles to open our hearts and shine brightly from the inside out. It’s based on a tantric tradition, that everything is good, all things are conscious and that we are continually present.
Anusara uses more of the hindu religious and devotional connections than other forms of Westernized yoga.
In fact, upon entering the Heart Flow yoga class at my regular studio I was handed an invocation card that is directly related to Anusara. We opened our practice with this invocation. It was very healing and invigorating when surrounded with the sound of this invocation.
Following the invocation there were asana that specifically related to grace and servitude. With the recent passing of our official leader of the opposition to the government, Meaghan read from some recent remarks he had made about giving his life to serve the people of this country. We opened ourselves up to service and maintained strength and softness through poses.
We worked on several poses. We also learned two of the principles of alignment. They are openness to grace and muscular energy. We also did some preparation for a shoulder stand, see below.
I didn’t make it to this perfect right angle. I have yet to build up to this point but learning the feeling of being upside down can be quite intimidating.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I was scared. I felt a bit too close to the wall. I also found that it was difficult to keep my hear soft while keeping my arms strong.
I intend to get to this point. It may take time but eventually all things will come together.
I enjoyed this practice immensly. I felt I had come away with a new way of thinking. My mind clearer I went forth. I found out more. I look forward to the upcomming workshop with Robin Golt in the fall.
