Lutheran Rosary

Ananda yoga is a yoga technique founded by Swami Kriyananda. These yoga classes focus on inner awareness. The highest inner happiness is called Ananda , which is a Sanskrit word for bliss. It prepares the body for meditation with gentle postures used in a way to control and move energy through the body up to the brain. This yoga type is designed to integrate and harmonize physical, mental and spiritual levels of your body.

Classical approach includes:

• Asana (yoga postures)
• Pranayama (breathing and energy control techniques)
• Classical yoga meditation techniques
• Applied yoga philosophy

Two aspects are unique about Ananda Yoga : energization exercises and asana affirmations. Energization exercises include 39 special energy-control techniques. These techniques are developed to help enlarge, focus and control the life force.

Ansura Yoga is a relatively new form of yoga, a school of hatha yoga founded by John Friend in 1997. Ansura means “flowing with Grace” or “flowing with Nature”. This yoga method is well known by the combination of numerous elements which are common for every class. Each class begins with centering as a prayerful appreciation of the grace giving power of universal spirit within and around us. Movements within every pose are synchronized with the breath. There are more than 250 poses that compile the programs of Anusara yoga asanas. There are no set postural routines, but classes are designed using sequence principles. Classes end with Savasana or meditation in order to help better integrate the teachings and honor the spiritual experience of the class. 

Ishta is a Hatha type of yoga which is developed by South African teacher Mani Finger. The word Ishta, in Sanskrit, means individual or personal. This style of yoga is a mixture of many traditions with the idea of practice being more individual. It focuses on opening energy channels throughout the body and integrates the use of postures and breathing techniques. Like other types of yoga, it follows a series of postures which stretches, strengthens and tones the muscles.  Ishta also stands for the integrated science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurved. The Hatha part is referring to the physical practice, Tantra refers to the philosophical side of yoga while Ayurveda is the natural science of healing.  Ishta refers to healing inner and outer being.

Iyengar yoga is a great beginning class. It is developed by yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar more than 60 years ago. This yoga style is detail-oriented and slow-paced and promotes strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. With / or due to coordinated breathing, the poses are usually held longer than in other yoga style. Over 200 classical yoga Asanas and 14 different types of Pranayamas are systematized from simple to very difficult. The use of props belts, blocks, and pillow-like supports help beginners get into poses with a correct position. The Iyengar method is different from other styles of Yoga by its 3 key elements: technique, sequence and timing. The prolonged practice of asana and pranayama affects the individual on a physical, mental and spiritually level.

Jivamukti Yoga is an internationally recognized style of Hatha Yoga. Jivamukti means “liberation while living” it is taken from the Sanskrit term “Jivanmuktih” which describes the state of enlightenment. This method of yoga was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1986. It incorporates five disciplines which form the foundation of the practice and they are applied in every class.

• Scripture: Study of the ancient yogic teachings, including Sanskrit chanting;
• Bhakti: personal regards to God, loving devotion to divine.
• Ahimsa: Practice of compassion to a peaceful lifestyle which underlines ethical vegetarianism and animal rights.
• Nada Yoga:  “union through sound.” This is the ancient art of using sounds and tones to create inner transformations.
• Meditation: Connecting with the eternal unchanging reality within.

Each class focuses on a theme which is explored through chanting, asana sequencing, pranayama and meditation. Jivamukti yoga is a vinyasa style. Classes can be physically challenging, but intellectually very stimulating.

Tri Yoga is a yoga technique developed by Kali Ray in 1980. It represents a series of flowing, dancelike movements combined with breathing exercises and meditation. This type of yoga unites quality of wavy spinal movements, relaxation in action and economy of motion. The result is improved physical, mental and spiritual level of energy. This gives mental clarity and provides a life with greater awareness.

Kripalu yoga is also known as yoga of consciousness. It is a gentle practice with a compassionate approach that urges students to explore and release emotional and spiritual blockages. It focuses on meditation and moving at your own pace, making it a good practice for people with limited mobility due to injury, age or any other reason.

There are three stages in Kripalu yoga: stage one focuses on learning the postures and exploring your body abilities; stage two is holding postures for an extended time while developing concentration and inner awareness; stage three is final relaxation in a form of meditation in motion in which moving from one posture to another is spontaneous.

At the end of a class, teachers say “jai bhagwan” which in Sanskrit has the same meaning as “namaste” in Hindi.