Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga was introduced in Mysore, India by Krishnamacharya during the early part of the 20th century.

At Rishi Yoga Institute we practice the Vinyasa style of Hatha Yoga.  The practice incorporates the combination of the breath and the movement of the body through asanas to create optimal health on a cellular level, muscular strength on a basic physical level and a deeper awareness of our Warrior Spirit.  We explore the full treasure of Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga, using our asana practice as a basic, simple step toward our own self realization.

Our philosophy is that Vinyasa Yoga is neither relaxing nor does it have a purpose of attaining flexibility.  These two benefits are just side effects of a dynamic practice that blends Pranayama and Asana.  The word "Hatha" comes from the Sanskrit words: "Ha - Sun", and "Tha - Moon".  Together, these two components create a third word, "Hatha" which means forceful.  We see that as all around us that is a part of who we are and a place of constant resource.

Our practice generates understanding and respect of the physical miracle that is the human body, a gift to move our Spirit through 3 dimensional space.  As our awareness is drawn inside that vessel, we become cognizant of the Silent Witness, the Spirit that lives within each and every living thing.  As our awareness of Spirit develops, we are led, step by step, on Patanajali's road to Spiritual enlightenment.  Our physical practice is but a very basic step on that ladder and first, before we can find that space of silence within, we must learn to turn our senses toward that silence.  We must become one with that silence.  And then, even the silence disappears and we become one with all that is.

Vinyasa Yoga is but a step toward Samadhi, toward becoming one with the Universe and all the unseen miracles beyond.