limbs of yoga

 

Yoga is an ancient tradition, the deepest philosophy I have ever encountered, and an ever-expanding practice. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," which means: to join, to yoke, to unite. Yoga, therefore, means union - not only of body, mind, and soul, but of all universal consciousness.

To me, yoga is the fundamental belief that everything and everyone shares the same core, and that there is no true separation between what is “I” and what is “other.” If your soul is a little flame inside, this universal One is the great fire where everything originates — and to which everything returns after its time on earth.

Yoga has many forms, traditions, and lineages. There isn’t one true or “right” way to do it. It’s deeply personal and depends on the circumstances you find yourself in, or the phase of life you’re moving through. It has changed many times for me already, and I hope it keeps evolving. The most well-known path is perhaps sage Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or “the eight limbs of yoga” but there are many different classifications.

Whether I’m practicing or teaching, I never lose sight of this vast landscape and all its possibilities. I want to share a yoga that is inclusive, comprehensive, and decolonizing. Yoga is not a workout, a weight-loss program, or a Lululemon ad.
This means:

❀ I study and use Sanskrit terms (and explain them to you).
❀ I cite and share my sources as much as possible (e.g., not in the middle of a drop-in class, but before we start, during a stretch, or at the end of the class).
❀ My yoga isn’t religious or gendered and holds space for critical thinking & activism.
❀ I hold space for different forms and experiences of yoga, including:
Pranayama (breath control)
Discussing morals and worldviews (yama)
Self-inquiry and other forms of personal growth (niyama)
Eye-movement exercises
Meditation and yoga nidra
Study of the drishti (visual focus points during asana practice),
bandha (energy locks), chakra, and more
❀ I inform my private students and workshop participants about various traditions and their differences, such as Hatha, Karma, Bhakti, Tantra, Raja yoga, and so on.
❀ When I teach an asana class (yoga as you likely know it — poses and flows on the mat), I try to stay within one style. I don’t like to mix and match too much, because each yoga style has its own effect on the body and the mind, and I don’t want that to get lost just because I wanted to show off everything I can do in 60 minutes.
❀ In dialogue, we look for what works for you. I am not your boss or your guru and you have total autonomy and freedom in deciding what you're up for. We can work on the deepest details of one asana or we can do breath, movement and meditation in the span of 30 minutes. After a while I might notice some things that could be good for you and give you a nudge out of your comfortzone, but never before explicit consent. You know your body best and I would never argue with that.

I’ll likely update this list regularly — I’m just here to live and learn, too :)
Either way, I hope it helps clarify a bit more about my teaching style and what you can expect. If you have any questions or special inquiries, just email me and we can talk all about it!

nina.subek@gmail.com