What is Anusara Yoga

Anusara Yoga is a Hatha Yoga practice that emphasizes the importance of alignment, positive attitude, and conscious action. It was founded in 1997 by American yoga teacher John Friend, and has since grown into a global community of practitioners. Anusara Yoga has been praised for its accessibility, effectiveness, and focus on spiritual growth. In this article, we will explore the origins, philosophy, practice, and benefits of Anusara Yoga.

The Origins of Anusara Yoga

John Friend began practicing yoga in the early 1980s, and studied with some of the most renowned yogis of the time. He developed his own approach to yoga, which combined traditional techniques with modern insights. In 1997, he founded Anusara Yoga, which he described as a “yoga of the heart.” The name Anusara comes from the Sanskrit words “anu” (meaning following) and “sara” (meaning flow), which represent the idea of “following your heart” and “flowing with grace.”

John Friend’s journey to founding Anusara Yoga was a long and winding one. He first discovered yoga in college, when he was studying philosophy. He was immediately drawn to the practice, and began studying with various teachers. He was particularly inspired by the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, who emphasized the importance of alignment and precision in yoga.

Over time, John Friend began to develop his own approach to yoga. He realized that while alignment was important, it was not enough on its own. He began to incorporate more heart-centered practices into his yoga, such as meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises). He also began to focus on the idea of “opening to grace,” which meant surrendering to the natural flow of life.

John Friend and the Founding Principles

John Friend based Anusara Yoga on three principles: attitude, alignment, and action. Attitude refers to having a positive and open-hearted approach to life, alignment means aligning your body and mind with the natural flow of life, and action means taking conscious and skillful action to enhance your well-being and the well-being of others.

• The principle of attitude is particularly important in Anusara Yoga. John Friend believed that our attitude towards life shapes our experience of it. By cultivating a positive and open-hearted attitude, we can create a more joyful and fulfilling life.
• The principle of alignment is also central to Anusara Yoga. John Friend believed that by aligning our bodies and minds with the natural flow of life, we can tap into a deeper sense of peace and harmony. This involves not just physical alignment, but also aligning our thoughts, emotions, and intentions with our true nature.
• The principle of action is about taking conscious and skillful action to enhance our well-being and the well-being of others. This involves not just physical action, but also mental and emotional action. It means being mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions, and striving to act in ways that are in alignment with our values and our true nature.

The Anusara Community and its Growth

Anusara Yoga quickly gained popularity, and in a few years, it had become a global phenomenon. The Anusara community prides itself on being inclusive, non-competitive, and supportive. Anusara Yoga has more than 1,000 certified teachers, and is taught in more than 70 countries. The Anusara School of Hatha Yoga provides comprehensive training and support to its teachers, and ensures that they adhere to the principles and values of Anusara Yoga.

The Anusara community is known for its warmth and friendliness. It is a place where people from all walks of life can come together to practice yoga and connect with others. Anusara Yoga classes are often accompanied by uplifting music and positive affirmations, creating a joyful and supportive atmosphere.

Despite its rapid growth, the Anusara community remains committed to its core values. It continues to emphasize the importance of attitude, alignment, and action, and to promote a heart-centered approach to yoga and life. It is a testament to the power of yoga to bring people together and create positive change in the world.

The Philosophy of Anusara Yoga

The philosophy of Anusara Yoga is grounded in two main concepts: Tantra and non-dualism. Tantra is a traditional Indian philosophy that emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of life, including pleasure, pain, and emotions. Non-dualism is the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected, and that there is no separation between the self and the world.

The Universal Principles of Alignment

The Universal Principles of Alignment are the core of Anusara Yoga. These principles provide a framework for aligning your body, mind, and heart with the natural flow of life. They include the idea that you should open to grace, move from the heart, establish the foundation, create muscular energy, find inner spiral, create outer spiral, expand the joints, lengthen the spine, and soften the front body.

The Three A’s: Attitude, Alignment, and Action

The Three A’s are the foundation of Anusara Yoga. They represent the idea that yoga is not just a physical practice, but also a mental and spiritual one. Attitude refers to having a positive and open-hearted approach to life, alignment means aligning your body and mind with the natural flow of life, and action means taking conscious and skillful action to enhance your well-being and the well-being of others.

The Connection to Tantra and Non-Dualism

The connection to Tantra and non-dualism is what sets Anusara Yoga apart from other yoga practices. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things, and encourages practitioners to embrace all aspects of life as part of their spiritual practice. This means that Anusara Yoga is not just about getting fit or flexible, but also about cultivating a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life.

The Practice of Anusara Yoga

The practice of Anusara Yoga is designed to promote physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. It typically involves a combination of asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and philosophy. Anusara Yoga classes are usually taught in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, and are accessible to practitioners of all levels.

The Structure of an Anusara Yoga Class

An Anusara Yoga class typically begins with a centering practice, which involves focusing the mind and setting an intention for the practice. This is followed by a warm-up, which prepares the body for the asanas. The main part of the class involves a sequence of postures that are designed to promote strength, flexibility, and balance. The class ends with a relaxation or meditation practice, which helps practitioners cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm.

Key Poses and Sequences

Some of the key poses in Anusara Yoga include downward facing dog, warrior II, triangle pose, and tree pose. These poses are often combined into sequences that flow from one pose to another in a graceful and harmonious way. The sequences are designed to open the body, cultivate awareness, and enhance the flow of life energy.

The Role of Breath and Meditation

Breathing techniques and meditation are also essential components of Anusara Yoga. Practitioners are taught to use the breath to connect with the present moment, and to cultivate a sense of calm and clarity. Meditation is used to deepen the practice, and to cultivate a deeper sense of awareness and self-discovery.

The Benefits of Anusara Yoga

Anusara Yoga has many benefits for physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and spiritual growth.

• Some of the key benefits include improved flexibility, strength, balance, and posture.
• It can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and enhance self-confidence and self-awareness.
• Anusara Yoga can also help enhance spiritual growth and self-discovery, and provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Physical Health and Flexibility

Anusara Yoga can help improve physical health by promoting flexibility, strength, and balance. It can also help reduce the risk of injury, improve posture, and enhance the flow of life energy.

Mental and Emotional Well-being

Anusara Yoga can help enhance mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help improve self-confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to connect with others.

Spiritual Growth and Self-Discovery

Anusara Yoga can help enhance spiritual growth and self-discovery by cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It can also help practitioners connect with their inner wisdom and intuition, and cultivate a deeper sense of compassion and gratitude.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Anusara Yoga is a holistic practice that combines traditional yoga techniques with modern insights. Its focus on alignment, attitude, and action provides a framework for living a more mindful and compassionate life. Anusara Yoga classes are accessible to practitioners of all levels, and provide many benefits for physical health, mental and emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. If you are interested in experiencing the transformative power of Anusara Yoga, we encourage you to find a certified teacher near you and start your journey today!