My training is in the Classical Raja and Kriya yoga style (Royal Yoga) as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda, author of, "Autobiography of a yogi" and by Swami Kriyananda, author of "Autobiography of a western yogi," and "Yoga postures for higher awareness."
My certification to teach Raja Yoga was obtained in 1984 from the yoga fellowship while living and studying at the Ananda yoga ashram in California.
Yoga, which means union, is an ancient science. Developed in India thousands of years ago, it is the oldest system of personal development encompassing mind, body, and spirit. Any one can practice yoga; all you need is a small amount of space. The first yogis sought answers to two questions:
1. How to get rid of pain, and 2. How to conquer death? They discovered through the asanas (poses), that we can control physical pain.
Through pranayama (breath control), we can control emotional pain. And through meditation, an understanding of who we are, free from identification with the physical form. The first yogis gained a deep understanding of man's nature and what is needed to live in harmony with himself and his environment.
They began with the body and ended with transcending it.
Classical Yoga combines all the movements one needs for physical health with breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques that relieve stress, relax the body, and bring peace of mind. Today we live in a stressful world. Yoga is just as appropriate today as it was five thousand years ago. The postures exercise every part of the body, gently warming, toning, and stretching the muscles, joints, spine, and skeletal system, while exerting gentle pressure to tone, cleanse and massage the internal organs, glands, and nerves.
Private instruction only is offered at this time. It is designed for the student who wants to learn the fundamentals of yoga as it is traditionally taught. Instruction is given at a gentle pace in a peaceful and stress free environment. Postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation are incorporated into each session.
Yoga is not a set of exercises to be rushed through. The attitude with which we get into and out of the poses is as important as the poses themselves. The body and mind will not get the full benefit yoga intends unless our attention is focused, we are breathing correctly and the postures are performed slowly.
Many people are first drawn to yoga as a way to keep their bodies fit, healthy and looking good. Some seek relief for a specific complaint such as stress and some are drawn to develop clarity of their inner or spiritual nature. Whatever the reason, yoga can be a wonderful tool to reach any level of personal development.
* Sincerely, Vijayan
Private Instruction
