authentic yoga for modern life

Yoga is a practice that may date back to around 2000 BC, but certainly is over 2000 years old.  Originating in India, yoga is a philosophical and practical system of self-realisation, influenced by several philosophical systems of India including the Vedas, Upanishads (vedanta), Buddhism, Jainism and tantra.  The classical system of yoga is described by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a series of 196 aphorisms.  Within these, the 8-limbed (astanga) path is laid out as follows: 
  1. Yama - social retraints or ethical values
  2. Niyama - personal observance
  3. Asana - posture (seat)
  4. Pranayama - extention of life-force (breath control)
  5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses (or I prefer to say directing the senses inwards)
  6. Dharana - concentration
  7. Dhyana - Meditation
  8. Samadhi - absorption, liberation
In a yoga class you can expect the majority of the class to be based mainly around the practice of asana (posture) incorporating the other limbs as and when appropriate.  I always teach my classes with the spirit of the yamas and niyamas, as I firmly believe these are our foundation for yoga, and without them we are simply exercising our body.  To make movement yoga, we have to be prepared to engage fully with our whole being and integrate our body, mind and breath into the practice.   I teach classical postures along with innovative variations with an emphasis on adaption to the students own body.  I use props (blocks, blankets, belts etc) for support, accessibility and release.  My classes always include the vital element of intuitive movement and spontaneous attunement.
About Vajrasati Yoga

Vajrasati yoga was founded in 2000 by Jim Tarran.  The study and practice of yoga (and its influencing traditions) and Buddhism inspires the school. Graduates of the training become part of a knowledge pool and support network, and the school grows with each individual. Vajrasati yoga aspires to communicate a practical experience of yogic principles to a multifarious and contemporary world.  

Vajrasati yoga is not in itself a 'style' of yoga as one may expect from many schools of yoga.  Vajrasati is based more on a shared philosophy and integrity.  Vajrasati yoga encourages exploration, creativity and continued learning from self study (svadhyaya), and sharing that learning with the Vajrasati community and the wider world.