What is Integral Yoga?
Integral Yoga is a relatively gentler style of yoga (as compared to Power yoga, Bikram yoga or Ashtanga yoga) and integrates the various components of traditional yoga - physical postures and stretching, deep relaxation, breathing techniques and meditation. During the class, each student is encouraged to practice at his/her own level of strength, flexibility and endurance. This Style of Yoga was developed by Swami Satchidananda of the Yogaville Ashram in Buckingham, VA. He was the spiritual teacher who introduced chanting to the crowds of the original Woodstock in 1969. Integral Yoga is also used for therapeutic purposes; in fact, Dr. Dean Ornish who studied yoga under the guidance of Swami Satchidananda, uses Integral Yoga in his groundbreaking work on reversing heart disease.
Each class lasts approximately 1.5 hours and consists of opening and closing chants, Asanas (postures), Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation), Pranayama (breathing techniques), and Dhyana (meditation) and/or discussion on the philosophy of yoga. Please visit the schedule page to determine the class(es) most suitable for you. To sign up for a class, contact us at 919-926-9717. Please fill out the Registration Form, providing details in all the fileds, and submit it online.
Information about Yoga
Introduction
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which, depending upon the usage, can either mean ‘to join/yoke’ or ‘samadhi (total mental absorption). In the classical yoga text “Yoga Sutras by Patanjali”, yoga is defined as “the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind-field”. In this context the meaning ‘samadhi’ is more appropriate since one can experience the state of Samadhi only when mind’s fluctuations have been fully arrested. (more.... )
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (YSP)
Invocation to Sage Patanjali
योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां | मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन || योऽपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां | पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ||
yogena chittasya padena vAchAM | malaM sharIrasya cha vaidyakena ||yo.apAkarottaM pravaraM munInAM | pata~njaliM prA~njalirAnato.asmi ||
"I respectfully bow down with folded hands and offer my salutations to Sage Patanjali, the highest among the Munis (sages), who has presented the remedies for removing the impurities of the body through his treatise on Ayurveda, of language through his treatise on grammar (Patanjala Mahabhashya) and the impurities of the Chitta (mind field) through his treatise on Yoga (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)". (more ...)
Hatha Yoga
"Hatha Yoga is a flexible combination of specific techniques that help develop every aspect of the individual: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. It is a scientific system that integrates the various branches of yoga and brings about a harmonious development of the individual. Regular practice of yoga helps achieve: a body of optimum health and strength, (more....)
