Kripalu Yoga

* Recognizes that everyone's body is different. Sees yoga postures as tools to release chronic tension, stretch and strengthen the whole body, and increase self-awareness, versus ends in themselves. While emphasizing safety through proper body alignment, encourages modification of postures to meet individual needs. 

* Acknowledges that each person's body is the ultimate authority on what promotes health. Teaches how to use a balanced yoga routine to turn off stress and turn on the relaxation response crucial to self-healing. Teaches that yoga is best practiced as part of a lifestyle supportive of health and well being. 

* Offers practical tools to facilitate psychological growth and apply the principals of yoga off the mat in daily life. Is not guru-based. Uses a model of experimental education that empowers the student to progressively awaken the capacity to learn from his or her direct experience.

* Is taught in three stages that awaken the life force of the body that yoga calls "prana." Acknowledges that depth practice goes beyond rote techniques and into the realm of spiritual attunement. Teaches that the experience of meditation can occur in moments of inner stillness or flowing movement. Depth practice is a highly personal expression, an inner dance of energy and awareness that has many outer forms. 

* Includes sensible spiritual teachings that demystify the process of spiritual awakening and make it accessible to contemporary people living active lives. 

* Views human development as a natural process of growth and transformation. By nurturing the body and soothing the mind, Kripalu Yoga removes the obstacles that often inhibit growth and leave us feeling less than fully alive.

Three Stages of Kripalu Yoga

1) Body and Breath Awareness
In the first stage of Kripalu Yoga, a student learns how to practice the classic postures of hatha yoga with relaxation, deep breathing and proper alignment. Stage One practice strengthens the body and releases chronic tension. An attitude of compassionate self-acceptance is stressed as an essential element of practice. Over time, focusing the mind on the flow of breath and the details of alignment develops
concentration and prepares the practitioner for deeper practice.

2) Holding the Posture and Attuning to Prana
Kripalu Yoga teaches that there is an intelligent life force called prana that guides the functioning of both body and mind.  The purpose of Stage Two practice is to become attuned to the presence and flow of this life force. Postures are held for longer periods of time, the mind is focused on the sensations, emotions and thoughts that arise during holding, and the body is moved in slow motion as guided from within. An
ability to closely observe the interplay of body and mind called witness
consciousness is acquired.

3) Meditation-in-Motion
As practice deepens, prana grows stronger and the ability of the mind to witness its activity increases. As prana awakens, energy flows freely and the body moves spontaneously. One offers the body to Spirit and invites prana to be the guide. The essential mystical truth is realized, Spirit dwells within us. Kripalu's approach recognizes that the essence of meditation is a state of inner absorption that can occur in either the flow of movement or moments of physical stillness. Both meditation-in-motion and sitting meditation are seen as valid and complementary practices.

The Journey of Kripalu Yoga
The goal of traditional yoga is to bring a practitioner to the highest spiritual state called self-realization. The goal of Kripalu Yoga is to develop a healthy and strong body, an open and caring heart, and a peaceful and clear mind. All along the way, Kripalu Yoga recognizes that we are born divine and are inherently capable of accessing our spiritual nature. In Kripalu Yoga, the journey is just as important as the goal.

The Kripalu Approach to Personal Transformation

Being Present

The foundation of Kripalu's approach to personal transformation is being fully present in the moment. When present, you are connected to your body, mind and spirit. You feel whole and fully alive. You learn to be present through a simple step-by-step technique that over time becomes second nature:

. Breathe: let your breath flow freely in and out.
. Relax: soften your muscles, let go of mental tension.
. Feel: attune to the physical sensations and emotions flowing through you.
. Watch: observe your experience with compassion, neither grasping what is pleasant nor pushing away what is painful.
. Allow: accept yourself and your experience exactly as it is, dropping the need to change it in any way.

Bringing yourself fully present is easy. Take a minute right now to give it a try. Each component of the Kripalu Approach is designed to support you in being fully present in your life

Spiritual Practice On and Off the Mat

The first step of the Kripalu Approach is to establish a regular spiritual practice that provides you a consistent experience of being fully present in a relaxed body. Regular spiritual practice "on the mat" keeps you in touch with yourself and provides a tangible way to support your spiritual growth. Although Kripalu has adopted the techniques
associated with the yoga tradition, we recognize that people have different needs and interests. The practice that you love and are naturally drawn toward is probably best for you. No matter the technique, we recommend a daily practice with occasional times of
intensive practice and study to stay inspired. We also believe in applying the principles of yoga "off the mat" in our everyday lives. The essence of yoga is allowing the moment-to-moment experience of life to touch and transform you.

Creating a Supportive Lifestyle

The second step of the Kripalu Approach is to create a lifestyle that supports your health and spiritual growth. Each of us is unique, and there is no "right" way to eat, sleep or exercise. All of us need to explore what lifestyle choices work for us through conscious trial and error. As a starting point, we recommend a number of holistic health principles that have proven helpful over the years, but in the final analysis your body is the only authority. Many of us are in need of healing, and Kripalu embraces a variety of holistic modalities to address health challenges. After twenty-five years of experience in the holistic health field, we are constantly amazed by the power of
lifestyle to rekindle radiant health and renew an optimistic perspective on life.

Transformation through Service

All spiritual traditions teach that lasting happiness comes from giving freely of yourself. Swami Kripalu taught that "the key to your heart lies hidden in the heart of another." As you serve others, your heart naturally opens and you are transformed in the process. A willingness to serve others naturally results from spiritual practice and the realization of humankind's oneness in spirit. Kripalu is a community of people sharing a commitment to loving service.

Embracing the Divine Mystery

The truth of Spirit cannot be understood or captured in a box of words. It is a living reality that can only be experienced in the sacredness of the present moment. The Kripalu Approach is not a formula to solve the problems of life. It is a way to learn how to be fully alive and choose to embrace the divine mystery.

The Power of Community

Our experience at Kripalu is that people grow best in the context of bonded and caring groups. An essential part of a balanced life is learning how to be in relationship with others and create a sense of community in your life. A diverse community of like-hearted people is a mirror that allows you to see yourself clearly. It is often the loving acceptance of another that allows you to accept yourself and take the next step on your journey. Kripalu is a community that embraces diversity, and our approach includes a variety of communication and interpersonal skills that teach you to listen to others and express your thoughts and feelings. Swami Kripalu taught that the highest spiritual attainment is realizing that "the whole world is one family."

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