| The Jivamukti Yoga
method is a style of Yoga created by David Life and
Sharon Gannon in 1984. It is a vigorously physical
and intellectually stimulating practice leading to
spiritual awareness.
We promote the educational
aspect of the practice and give students access to
where these ideas have come from. Each class focuses
on a theme, which is supported by Sanskrit chanting,
readings, references to scriptural texts, music
(from the Beatles to Moby), spoken word, asana
sequencing and yogic breathing practices. The
average Jivamukti student is more educated about the
philosophy of yoga than most yoga teachers.
The name Jivamukti
means Liberation while living.
Jivamukti is taken from the Sanskrit term,
Jivanmukti, which is used to
describe the state of enlightenment or God
realization. We named our yoga method Jivamukti
because we wanted the student to be reminded of the
ultimate aim of the practice.
The Jivamukti method of
Yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized
styles of Hatha Yoga. The other eight being:
Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral,
Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini.
To teach the Jivamukti
method, all teachers must be certified after
completing one month intensive teacher-training
program.
The main tenets of the Jivamukti style are:
1. Scripture
The sources for the teachings are drawn from
ancient Sanskrit scriptures, most notably:
- Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Bhagavad Gita
- Upanishads
- Study of the Sanskrit Alphabet and grammar
2. Bhakti
Recognition that God realization is the goal of
all yoga practices is a tenet of Jivamukti Yoga.
- The promotion of inter-religious understanding
and tolerance toward all forms of religious and
spiritual beliefs
- Creating a mood conducive to a devotional
state of mind through altars, religious pictures
and iconography, and providing a large selection
of books and spiritual tools
- Chanting of the names of God
3. Ahimsa
Promoting and providing educational information
about:
- Ethical vegetarianism
- Animal rights
- Environmental concerns
- The need to take social/political action
4. Music
Promoting the study of Nada Yoga (the yoga of
sound) as an essential part of Hatha Yoga practice.
- Listening to elevating music.
- Kirtan (call and response singing)
- Inspiring the composition of spiritually
motivated music.
- Providing and distributing the newest, most
cutting-edge of spiritually elevating music
5. Meditation
Encouraging meditation as an essential part of
Hatha Yoga practice
- Each class includes meditation instruction and
practice
- Once a week in-depth meditation class is
offered
- Guest meditation teachers
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