Yoga practices are the best means to harmonize the soul and body. They help a person to find his inner self and look at the world differently. I began to be interested in these teachings recently, but I could not choose the most appropriate direction for myself until I came across Jivamukti yoga.
The History of the Practice
Yoga Jivamukti is an author’s technique by an American married couple. Sharon Gannon and David Life took the practice of Vinyasa Sri Pattabhi Joyce and diversified it with their exercises, many of which resemble dance moves. Sanskrit’s name for this type of yoga is “liberation of the soul.” The highest goal of the practice is liberation from the laws of karma and the beginning of a new, “pure,” and enlightened life.
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While traveling in India, Sharon and David studied yoga practices and learned from the best masters in this field. They noticed that each style has its philosophy, while their compatriots in America used the physical aspect of yoga exclusively. Upon returning home, the couple decided to show people the true essence of these ancient teachings.
To form their style of yoga, Life and Gannon studied the religion of India, breathing practices, and mantras for a long time. The first open class was in 1989. It was more like an informational lesson, where the couple told all interested people about Jivamukti yoga in an informal setting. This style quickly gained popularity, and today there are many training centers worldwide.
Style Features
Yoga Jivamukti resembles a beautiful dance with smooth movements called “vinyasa.” In addition to performing exercises, students meditate, sing mantras, listen to music and study sacred texts in the classroom. Adherents of this teaching adhere to vegetarianism, promote the Indian religious movement Bhakti and actively protect nature.
This teaching style contains spiritual and physical aspects, thanks to which practitioners simultaneously improve their bodies and mind. They improve their psychological state, free themselves from the attitudes and restrictions imposed by society, and also come to a clear understanding of the external and internal world.
Among other things, Jivamukti yoga helps to adjust the work of the chakras, which may or wholly blocked. As a result, energy flows begin to circulate correctly in the human body, positively affecting his well-being and life. In order not to hinder this process, the practicing disciple should stop sinning and committing evil deeds.
The Constituent Aspects of The Style
The Jivamukti technique includes five crucial aspects that every yogi should adhere to:
- Ancient texts like the Yoga Sutra, Hathayoga-Pradipika, Bhagavad-gita, and Upanishads are studied. They will help overcome all the obstacles standing in the way of enlightenment, learn restraint and understanding, and know the nature of higher forces and oneself.
- Bhakti, which means “devotion.” Yogic practices help to realize the existence of the supreme deity, believe in him, and become devoted to him. In addition, a person must gain understanding and tolerance for all religions, regardless of his faith.
- Ahimsa. The term translates as “renunciation of violence.” First of all, this concerns nature conservation. Yogis promote vegetarianism and actively protect animals. But Ahimsa also calls for restraint, tolerance, and understanding.
- Music is a compulsory component of Jivamukti yoga. During the lessons, students listen to spiritual works by themselves and refine their hearing. They also work on speech, using alternate singing.
- Meditation is the most critical component of yoga, without which it is impossible to achieve the primary goal. It is necessary for both individual and group classes.
Sharon and David insist that each class includes all five components of Jivamukti yoga. During the performance of asanas, biochemical changes begin to occur in the body, positively affecting the ability to enter a meditative state. Also, during meditation, the scriptures are much better assimilated on a conscious and subconscious level.
What Does Yoga Give?
As mentioned above, Jivamukti yoga at the development and improvement of the human body and mind so that he can achieve the main goal – enlightenment over time. But in addition, regular practices have many positive effects on the body, which include:
- Strengthening the health and immune system;
- Finding a toned and slim figure;
- Getting rid of complexes, fear, anxiety, and other harmful things that Prevent you from living fully;
- Improving well-being on the physical and moral levels;
- Increased optimism, stamina, and vitality;
- Finding harmony with yourself and the outside world;
- Increasing psychological resilience and the ability to remain calm and Sane in all situations;
- The knowledge of true happiness and the meaning of being.
After a few classes, students note that they feel better, smile more often, and treat problems and troubles more easily. Many people notice that back and joint pain, which previously had a permanent character, has disappeared. In addition, those who once suffered from sleep disorders no longer experience such problems – they sleep quickly and easily wake up feeling energized without the usual cup of coffee.
The yogic style of Jivamukti has an exciting feature – those who have started practicing it are unlikely to want to stop practicing. This practice forces students to continue what they started, putting more and more effort every day. The fact is that a person from the first lessons will notice positive changes in his body and mental state. In addition, his worldview will change, and then his whole life.
Yoga Jivamukti does not differ in complexity and high requirements. To know its features and master the techniques will not be difficult. Nevertheless, this style has some contraindications and warnings. For example, seriously ill and older people should not practice Jivamukti because of physical exertion and the need to observe vegetarianism. Pregnant women and people with gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver diseases should consult a doctor.
