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 may 2021
STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY
Om Shri Hanumate namah
Meaning: Invocation to Lord Hanuman, who is the greatest of all devotees. Hanuman is the manifestation of the power of Yoga, through unlimited, selfless devotion. Interpretation – Austin Sanderson
When most people in the Western world think of yoga, we think of Hatha Yoga (poses) and we equate yoga with our desire to become more physically fit and a little more relaxed. It is true that Hatha Yoga can help you become physically stronger and more flexible, and some people walk away feeling more relaxed as long as their ego does not get in the way. When a yoga instructor asks them to balance on their hands or stand on their heads for long periods of time, it may cause stress and feelings of inadequacy, or it may trigger behavior like aggression and competitiveness. If this happens, neither fitness nor relaxation will be achieved, and the student’s yoga practice will end up being another fitness fad in their life, like a Bowflex Home Gym that is used as a coat rack in the corner of the family room. The truth is that yoga is much deeper than our physical body and our superficial feelings of self-gratification.
When practiced with a higher intention and humility, yoga has the ability to unveil hidden strengths and flexibility that are usually hidden from ourselves.
new classes beginning in january
We are very excited to begin several new class types in January.
• 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 – Bringing back these classes.
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..
