What is Urban Sadhu Yoga™?
Urban Sadhu Yoga™ is a method of applying ancient yogic wisdom in a contemporary context. The Urban Sadhu Yoga™ Method is a modern, integrated Yoga method that incorporates many unique aspects of a traditional Yoga sadhana (practice) for the contemporary urban spiritual seeker. The method draws from the ancient yogic wisdom of India – Raja Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Nada Yoga, Jappa Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga – but does not exclude spiritual teachings from other cultures. Spiritual activism is a key component within the Urban Sadhu Method.
While Raja Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga), does not acknowledge Kundalini shakti, both Tantra Yoga (ritualization through a daily yoga practice) and Hatha Yoga (yoga asana) do. Urban Sadhu Yoga™ utilizes the latter two in order to reach the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, which is samadhi or union. To help guide the practitioner to the goal of union with the Higher Self, the Urban Sadhu Yoga Method is supported by six pillars, SADHANA, AHIMSA, SVADYAYA, DHYANA, AIKYAM, and DHARMA.
Yoga should bring about harmony within, and that harmony should be expanded externally into the world around us. Yoga makes us better humans, more loving, insightful, grateful, and compassionate toward others. These attributes are useless unless expressed in the outside world around us. Urban Sadhu Yoga™ expresses yoga in the world through spiritual activism focused on key issues such as veganism, environmentalism, and social justice for all beings. ™
EXPLORATIONS September 2021 — Becoming an Eternal Student
BG 4.34: tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśhnena sevayā upadekṣhyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśhinaḥ
Meaning:
When you offer respect, provide service and asks sincerely formed questions, highly knowledgeable and spiritual teachers will
enlighten you with Truth. – Interpretation, Austin Sanderson– Interpretation: Austin Sanderson
Several years ago, my teacher Yogishri Sudarshan Kannan was visiting our yoga shala here in Jersey City. He was teaching several special events that involved spiritual lectures, deep meditations and physic energy transfers. The sessions were so powerful for me that at times it was almost like an out of body experience. On the last evening, Yogishri said he wanted to spend some time with me after the event before he went back to India.
As we sat together he asked me, “Austin, do you have any questions?” The first thought I had was, ‘I don’t want to ask a stupid question’ so I responded, “I don’t think I have any questions.” He smiled and said, “All right”. We talked a little about the event and possible future plans and then it was time for him to leave.
new class Types
We are very excited to bring several new class types to Urban Sadhu.
• Tri-Guna Yoga Class – In the Tri-Guna class the class is divided into three equal sections, giving equal time to the three energetics. 25 minutes vigorous Vinyasa Yoga, 25 minutes healing Yin Yoga, and 25 minutes pranayama and meditation with a final result of total yogic bliss.
• Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep) – Yoga Nidra is a form of Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), where awareness is slowly drawn from the external world, the body, its functions, the mind, its thoughts and feelings, allowing us to connect to the deeper unconscious inner peace.
• Pranayama Meditation – A new class beginning with breath work that allows us to enter a state of deep meditation with ease.
• Fundamentals & Foundational Vinyasa – Great for those starting or those who want to review the core elements of a yoga practice.
For more info please see the updated schedule.
Listed below are both in person and virtual classes. If you register for a virtual class, you’ll get a link in an email 30 minutes before the start of class.
Online Class Archive
We are also pleased to offer an archive of online classes where you can practice at your own convenience at usyogalive.com . Pricing is $35 per month for unlimited classes. You can cancel at any time..
