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ANUSARA YOGA®

Anusara Yoga® was founded by John Friend 12 years ago (www.anusara.com). The word “anusara” is a Sanskrit word which means to step into the flow of grace which is within us and around us at all time. It is a given!  In this dynamic, heart-based, life-affirming practice, you will use your muscles a lot and be given many instructions, like how to plant your feet and hands on the mat and, most importantly, how to develop your pose from the inside out. Your breath -- your constant companion, your guide – is all important and during a class you will be given instructions on how to breathe. We welcome and encourage beginners at our studio, but we also have experienced practitioners from other styles who’ve discovered Anusara after years of practice or sometimes because of injury. As a practice, Anusara is deeply therapeutic and offers a path towards healing. (What if I’m already injured?) We have classes for beginners (Basics), very strong classes (Level 2-3) and even a very unusual class called The Practice for advanced practitioners who practice alongside a certified teacher.

An Anusara class is participatory (sometimes we do partner work to assist each other in finding alignment and power) and quite enjoyable; you may even discover that you will laugh. The teacher places great intention on his/her use of language and interaction with the class. Sometimes, but not in every class, we open with a seated meditation and an invocation which is available on sheets of paper inside the asana (practice) room. The invocation is an invitation to step into the flow of grace. You’re welcome to simply listen to the invocation or join in. An invocation of any kind is a method to mark a shift in your intention. It’s for this reason we also ask that you remove your shoes before you step into the asana (practice) room. (Scroll down to the bottom of this page for more protocol.)

Anusara Yoga is based in a tantric philosophy, versus the philosophy on which the more classical systems are based. Classical yoga’s basic belief is that matter (prakrti) and spirit (purusa) are separate and its primary goal is to transcend matter, meaning what you experience on this earth. This idea also includes the body which is seen as inferior and burdened with things like desire. Tantra, the philosophy upon which Anusara is built, states that both spirit and matter are real phenomena, but they are in an undeniable, even celebratory, relationship. In Tantra, matter is not seen as less than the divine, but an aspect of it. One does not seek freedom from the body; one seeks freedom in the body. Because when we feel free on the inside, we feel free on the outside.

One of the other intentions of an Anusara studio is to create kula, the Sanskrit word for a community of people who have chosen to gather because of like-mindedness. Our student population is diverse and wonderfully friendly. Our teachers are here to guide you, humbly and with great appreciation. Our teachers are great sources of inspiration, skill and devotion, and we are blessed to the stars and back to have them teaching at MSY. We appreciate your interest in our kula at MSY and invite you to participate in this amazing journey in the world of this yoga.

Please send us your feedback and suggestions. Our studio will grow and be refined based on your needs!

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 626.441.1144       1017 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030