What is Jivamukti Yoga?

Discover Jivamukti Yoga: the art of freeing your life.

Jivamukti Yoga is the yoga of liberation in life ; of the liberation of the individual soul.

It is a comprehensive method that was created by Sharon Gannon and David Life in 1986 . When they began to devise and practice this style of yoga, they used Ashtanga Yoga as a base and combined and complemented it with spiritual teachings.

Its main purpose is to learn to apply the philosophy of yoga to the daily life of the citizen .

It is a practice that combines the ancient traditions of yoga and creates a spiritual, intellectual and earthly dance : soul, mind and body move to the sound of conscious breathing .

At Jivamukti Yoga, each class is focused on working on a specific theme : a specific intention is planted to develop it in a precise and intuitive way. At the beginning there is always a chant in Sanskrit or a reading about the ancestral teachings of written yoga , paying special attention to the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. They tend to be chained, dynamic, fluid and lyrical sequences . A dance of body, mind and spirit working in unison.

Each posture (“asana” in Sanskrit) is a challenge for the practitioner , placing him face to face with his fears and mental limitations. Breathing is used as a calming engine for these personal fears: each inhalation and each exhalation calm, little by little, the feelings of stress and anxiety that generate fears and blockages. For this, breathing is the tool that can cross barriers and borders, relieving physical rigidity and mental tension, solving intellectual blockages and debilitating thoughts .

Its 5 basic and fundamental principles are:

• shastra : the study of scriptures is a vital pillar. Through them, one delves into the essence of this spiritual discipline in order to understand its vital purpose: to truly live. In union. With love. And from the heart.
• bhakti : its most literal translation is the following: "devotion to God." For Jivamukti practitioners, the realization of the being goes through knowing God, present in every living being and away from the egocentric ego.
• ahymsa : non-violence, that is, unconditional love is another great pillar of this yogic practice. A vegetarian diet is promoted, a loving treatment towards any living being and a respect for any element of nature.
• Nada Yoga : This principle is dedicated to developing the mind and body through the celestial and sacred sounds of yoga, also known as Sanskrit chants.
• dharana : the meditation of this style of yoga seeks the pure and deep connection with the absolute reality.

In Jivamukti Yoga classes there are many adjustments : the teachers are specialists in human physiognomy and treat the bodies of their students with great care and respect. It is a very devotional, spiritual and also earthly yoga. Ideal for anyone. Perfect for seekers of peace and well-being, connection and love .

Mae Knapnougel