Anusara Yoga: The Essential Fundamentals of the Practice

Namaste! Are you interested in yoga, but don't know where to start? There are a few forms out there that are definitely worthwhile, but you might feel overwhelmed by which one you want to practice. Yoga has been around for quite a while now, after all! The practice of yoga first originated in India, most likely around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. These days, yoga is very popular in the west, with many practicing it and incorporating the beneficial practice into their daily routines. There are many yoga studios out there that you can visit and take classes for, but that doesn't mean you'll sign up for the best yoga form for you. There's a high chance that you live within a good distance of a yoga studio, which makes it easier to join. However, as with all things in life, it's important to do your research.

We've already covered Bikram yoga in an earlier post, which is a perfect form to practice for anyone who's looking to lose weight fairly quickly. However, Anusara yoga has a bit of a different approach as well as its own unique ideology. In this blog post, we'll be covering some basic fundamentals of Anusara yoga to provide you with a better understanding of what makes this program unique. It'll also help you to determine if it's the right form of yoga for you.

Anusara Yoga: A Bit of Background

Developed by a man named John Friend, Anusara yoga sought to teach yoga poses – or asanas – with an emphasis on core stability and spinal mobility. An interesting fact about Anusara yoga is that it has its very own philosophy, which makes it ideal for the deep thinker who's looking to enhance their physical routine in a mentally stimulating way. This philosophical form was developed from a concept called Tantra, which means "to weave." You could describe this idea as weaving the threads of personal efforts into the fabric of the universe. Ultimately, this idea believes that everything is essentially woven together, and that everything is one. It's certainly a deep and interesting notion, to say the least! If you'd like to learn more about the deep meaning that's "woven" into the core of Anusara yoga, it'd be a good idea to become familiar with John Friend's Universal Principles of Alignment.

So, What Makes Anusara Yoga Different?

Anusara yoga is ideal for anyone who not only wants to practice yoga, but for someone who is seeking a divine purpose in life. After all, the ultimate goal of Anusara yoga is to align with the divine. Aligning with the divine sure sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? If this concept appeals to you, then you'd better pack up your yoga mat and get to your yoga studio as soon as possible to sign up for classes!

Another element of Anusara yoga that sets it apart from the rest is its focus on positivity. Your instructor will not correct you during your classes; rather, he or she will allow you to develop on your own. This is perfect for any student who wishes to develop in not only a spiritual way but in a physical way as well.

A Tip for Starting Anusara Yoga: Remember the Three A's

One tip that we can provide you with before you begin Anusara yoga is to remember the three A's that are essential to its philosophy. You might be asking yourself what the three A's are of Anusara yoga. Here's a breakdown:

Attitude: The attitude portion of Anusara yoga asks students to awaken their hearts. Additionally, students are asked to make their awakened heart the foundation of their practice, with a deep desire to align with the divine.

Alignment: This is a fundamental keyword of Anusara yoga. Alignment is at the core of Anusara yoga, and can be defined as the awareness of connections from parts of ourselves.

Action: As a part of Anusara yoga, action intrinsically means to allow for the natural flow of energy, which will ultimately lead to stability and joy.

What You Can Expect From Anusara Yoga

Every Anusara yoga class begins with an opening greeting. During this greeting, a student has the opportunity to introduce themselves to the person standing next to them. Your yoga instructor will announce the theme of the Anusara yoga class, which is woven throughout. You'll start off by breathing in and out while chanting "Om." Then there are warm-ups as well as breath synchronization. At this point, you'll be practicing essential yoga poses that are relevant to the Anusara practice. Each Anusara class ends with meditation and a summary of what the class theme was. This serves as a helpful reminder of what you were taught during your class.

Is Anusara Yoga For Me?

Anusara means "flowing with grace." If you're seeking a yoga practice that emphasizes gracefulness, peacefulness, and combines an intellectual element, then Anusara yoga is more than likely for you. Many students enjoy having a theme included with their yoga lesson, which makes it all the more interesting. One of the core focus points of Anusara yoga is to experience bliss. Your yoga instructor will want you to experience bliss not only in your Anusara yoga class, but in your daily life as well. You can feel the sense of alignment with the universe as you step into a pair of our gorgeous galaxy yoga pants, just to show your yoga instructor how in touch you are with your oneness.

Anusara yoga has many benefits as well. You'll enjoy the flexibility you will achieve through the series of vinyasa poses that are critical to Anusara yoga. Additionally, Anusara yoga helps heal injuries faster and even helps to correct imbalances in the body. This is definitely perfect for anyone who's looking for a way to be stimulated intellectually while focusing on alignment, oneness, and peace. Students of Anusara yoga will enjoy its natural healing benefits as well. It's time for you to try out our many full yoga outfits and step into the Anusara classroom!