Yoga

 

The Indian sage Pantanjali (200 BC), systematized the science of self inquiry in Sanskrit. In his treatise, the Yoga Sutras, he describes the eight limbs, which is known by its Sanskrit name, Ashtanga Yoga (eight-ashta, limb-anga). Patanjali's eight limbs are:

1. Yama: codes of restraint, abstinences
2. Niyama: observances, self-training
3. Asana: meditation posture
4. Pranayama: expansion of breath and prana
5. Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana: concentration
7. Dhyana: meditation
8. Samadhi: deep absorption

They address the cultivation of awareness in everything from proper ethical conduct to meditation. The third branch of this system, asana - also known as Hatha Yoga, focuses on the strengthening and purification of the body. An asana practice integrates the breath and the body into a cohesive whole.

Yoga Styles

 

Ashtanga Vinyasa 1-3

A fun and vigorous class that keeps a continuous flow within a fixed series of postures linked with the breath (Vinyasa) originally taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. You will build endurance, strength, flexibility, and grace along with bringing peace to your mind.  Beginners welcome who have some yoga experience and/or have a dance or athletic background.  Gentle yet firm hands on adjustments are given to ensure correct alignment. Posture modifications will be taught to the beginning students and the more challenging/full exalted postures will be given to the intermediate/advanced students.

Gentle Yoga (Acu-Yoga)

A system of self-healing that integrates the knowledge of two ancient techniques, acupressure and yoga, increasing the effectiveness of each end, giving you self-treatment techniques for stress, tension and pain.  This class is appropriate for students of all levels and no prior yoga experience is necessary.

Hatha 1-3 

A fun all abilities class combining the focus on alignment with the fluidity and grace of a vinyasa style class. Each class includes static strength building poses as well as flowing sequences that connect movement and breath. Posture modifications will be taught to the beginning students and the more challenging/full exalted postures will be given to the intermediate/advanced students.

Hatha Flow 1-3
A fun all abilities class, inspired by many styles of asana, integrating mind, body, spirit and breath through meditation, relaxation and a balanced postural practice. You will explore a full range of postures; from opening poses, standing poses, forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions, restoratives and meditation. Modifications will be taught to the beginning students and the more challenging/full exalted postures will be given to the intermediate/advanced students.

Alignment-based Yoga 1-2

This yoga is a system of hatha yoga which focuses on correct alignment of the bones and spine, training the muscles to support this structural alignment. Props are also used to adjust the poses to suit the students strengths and limitations enabling the student to open their body/mind in a safe and methodical manner. You will explore a full range of postures; from opening poses, standing poses, forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions, restoratives and meditation. All levels welcome.

Sunrise Vinyasa

Imagine how your day would flow if you gave to yourself first! You would have more energy to give to others and the world in all the ways you already do! Come join us in celebrating the sun rising in a fun and challenging class that keeps a nice groove, links postures with breath (Vinyasa) to build strength, flexibility, endurance, grace as well as bringing peace to your mind.  Just as in the Ashtanga classes, the series begins with sun salutations to warm the body and moves to link standing, balancing, forward bends, twists, inversions with vinyasas and ujayi breath.  Gentle yet firm hands on adjustments are given to ensure correct alignment. Modifications will be taught to the beginning students and the more challenging/full exalted postures will be given to the intermediate/advanced students. 

Vinyasa Yoga
A fun and challenging class that links postures with breath (Vinyasa) to build strength, flexibility, endurance, grace as well as bringing peace to your mind.  Just as in the Ashtanga classes, the series begins with sun salutations to warm the body and moves linking standing, balancing, forward bends, twists, inversions with vinyasas and ujayi breath.  Posture modifications will be taught to the beginning students and the more challenging/full exalted postures will be given to the intermediate/advanced students.

The Yoga of Self-Acceptance

For anyone with at least 6 months asana practice ( or less, if you promise to not try to look like all those beauties on the yoga calendars!), this class will help you find comfort in the traditional yoga asanas. This is not a new way to do asana. It is a way for you to honor your body, your strengths, and your limitations. The goal is to find “right” effort, not maximum effort. It is achieved through application of the 5 Not-So-Noble-Truths: Slow Down, Pay Attention, Breathe, Relax, and Lighten Up. Since we focus on making the asana fit your body and practice, this class is great for newer and long time students alike. It can be strenuous or easy depending on your inclination and intuition. Our goal is the make the asana your own. The asanas are altered to fit your body, rather than vice versa. We follow the admonition of Gary Kraftsow (There is a perfect way to do each posture; it just may be different for each person!) Erich Schiffmann (Yoga shouldn’t hurt) & Richard Rosen (We have to put the ha back in hatha) The diligence and perseverance of the yoga practice is an honored tradition; we simply feel that a little lightening up wouldn’t hurt either.

 

 

For Class Schedule Click HERE.

Class Rates
Yoga and Movement Classes

1 Class Pass 1 Noon Class 5 Class Pass (60 days) 5 Noon Class Pass (60 days) 10 Class Pass (60 days) 20 Class Pass (90 days) 1 Month (30 days & up to 30 classes) 3 Month (up to 50 classes) 6 Month Pass (up to 72 classes)   Students/Seniors* 1 Class Pass 5 Class Pass (60 days) 8 Class Pass (60 days) 12 Class Pass (60 days) 20 Class Pass (90 days)

$12 $10  $55 $45 $105 $200 $130 $249 $475   $11 $50 $78 $114 $180

*Students and seniors (63 and older) ID required. Cannot be combined with other discounts. Passes may be put on hold temporarily, please inquire for details. Some restrictions may apply. 
**Vara Healing Arts reserves the right to change or adjust the yoga schedule accordingly. This includes the number of classes available, class times, class pricing, class types, and teachers.

Instructors

 

Lela Davia

Lela Davia, M.S. is a graduate of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, CA and is a certified Acu-Yoga instructor. She has taught both Hatha Yoga and the Acu-Yoga Teachers Training at the Acupressure Institute and has taught classes at Kensington Physical Therapy center, and VARA Healing Arts in Albany, CA. She is on the teaching staff at the annual California Alliance for Women residential retreat, and at Cazadero Music and Arts Family Camp. Lela recently became a certified Arthritis Exercise Class instructor through the Arthritis Foundation. She is dedicated to encouraging a fit and healthy lifestyle for all ages, through movement.

 

Rosy Schlussel

Embodied practice has been a theme throughout Rosy's life. A dancer in her early years, she went on to Circus School in Bristol and London as an alternative to a traditional college education.  Rosy committed to her Yoga practice in earnest in 2000 as a way to survive the London winter; Studying Astanga Mysore Style at The Yoga Place in Bethnal Green under Alexander Medin and Sara Litton.  She became an apprentice to Alexander in 2001 and was encouraged to teach soon after this.  She has remained a student of various styles and has taught yoga to pre and postnatal mothers.  She gravitates toward the alignment principles and heart of Anusara and the depth, clarity and simplicity found in the Tantrik Hatha tradition.  Rosy considers Yoga an opportunity to not only enjoy our bodies, but know  ourselves with greater depth and grow into being love.  Rosy is also a Life Coach, practicing Buddhist and mother of two.

Tony Wolff

Tony Wolff is author is author of The Yoga of Self Acceptance, to be
published in 2010. He is a recovering achievement addict, coming to yoga
from vipassana meditation over 20 years ago. He found that yoga embodied
meditation by focusing attention on the actual physical experience occurring
through the effort of asana. But he also found himself striving to make his
body do things that more experienced practitioners seemed to have mastered. After years of injury and dissatisfaction, the 5 Not So Noble Truths emerged. Those precepts guide his teaching.

Viji Sundaram 

A yoga and Acu-Yoga instructor, has taught both in the US and in India for 18 years. She is a certified acupressurist (Acupressure Institute, Berkeley, Ca.) yoga teacher (Sivananda International Yoga Vedanta Center) and acu-yoga teacher (Acupressure Institute, Berkeley). She has studied pranayama from one of the best teachers in India.  She has conducted workshops in both countries, as well as in Kenya, and, to date, has taught more than 3,000 students.

 

Before You Come To Class

Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non-violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it. Yoga students are encouraged to bring their own sticky mat. If you do not have one, you can purchase one just about anywhere. Owning your own sticky mat is hygienic and it encourages you to practice yoga at home.  If you have your own strap and blanket, bring it along. Most importantly, bring yourself. Yoga is traditionally practiced on an empty stomach, but don’t come to class starving. Just give your body ample time to digest a big meal, at least two to three hours. If you snack lightly before class, allow an hour or so for digestion. It is better to practice yoga on an empty stomach, however your body needs energy, so keep yourself well nourished and listen to your body! Come prepared to practice in bare feet. You will want to dress comfortably by wearing clothing that you can move easily in without restriction. Tight clothing is uncomfortable, especially when you need to breathe. Dress according to the seasons. The Temperature in the studio is usually very warm. However, if you are prone to being cold, wear layers that you can always peel away. Yoga asanas make you warm. Please refrain from wearing perfumes and heavy scents when you come to class. As your body heats up, so will the scents and they will disperse into the air. Some students are very sensitive to smell and may have allergic reactions.

Benefits

There are many benefits that individual can gain from the practice of yoga. At the physical level, yoga can act as a cleansing process that has proven to be extremely effective for various disorders. Here are some of the benefits of yoga practice: increasing flexibility – there are positions in yoga that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that we never really use. Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons – by practicing various yoga positions individual can start experiencing a remarkable flexibility in parts of the joints, ligaments and tendons. Research has shown that “non strenuous” yoga positions can act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. If combined together they work in harmony to create flexibility. Massaging to all organs of the body – Research has shown the yoga exercise is probably the only form of activity that massages all of the internal glands and organs of the body to promoted good health and well-being. Complete detoxification – yoga exercise helps to gently stretch the muscles and joints allowing the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps to flush out the toxins in the body. Hence, leading to benefits such as delayed in ageing, providing energy and a remarkable zest for life. Excellent toning of the muscles – yoga can heal muscles that have become flaccid and weak. By practicing yoga it can encourage repeated stimulation that helps to shed excess flab and flaccidity. Provide balancing of the nervous system – yoga is a great form of mediation that can balance the nervous system. Reduction of stress – because yoga is a slow and gentle form of exercise combined with a control breathing exercise it can promote relaxation to the body.

 

Dualism & Non-Dualism Comparison
by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

Dualism and Non-Dualism

We may believe in one or the other of the philosophies of Dualism or Non-Dualism. We may see these philosophies as either contradictory or complementary. 

However, when we want food or sex, or feel threatened, we automatically respond from Dualism, not Non-Dualism. If we watch a person die, or look at a corpse, are we not all struck by the mystery of apparent matter and consciousness? The higher truth quickly goes out the window in such moments and we find we are faced squarely with the Dualistic, conditioned response of the stuff of our mind. 

There is something between us and Truth, the Absolute Reality, and that is called the mind. Training the mind is the starting point for Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras. For example, one of the first things he talks about is observing which of our thoughts are useful or not useful, positive or negative. Then he directs us to learn to make choices in life on the basis of what is positive and helpful in our growth, choosing to do that which we know leads towards a stable, inner state of tranquility. Such self-observation, self-examination, and self-training are necessary in preparation for the deeper practices. 

The Dualism of the Yoga Sutra gives us detailed instructions on how to clear away the clutter so we can find the door. Non-Dualistic Vedanta philosophy gives us a sound contemplative base for deeper understanding of the nature of the door and that which is beyond. Tantra shows us how to open the door, as well as how and where to knock. 

To view these as contradictory leads to confusion. To view them as complementary leads to freedom. We can apply the Dualistic and Non-Dualistic philosophies as different aspects of the same one journey within, which eventually leads to the direct experience of the center of consciousness, wherein all these questions are resolved and dissolved. 

 

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