Jivamukti yoga is a method of yoga which was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984, and which reintegrates the physical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga. The Jivamukti method of yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha yoga, the other eight being Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral, Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini. In the western world the stress has been on yoga as mostly a physical practice. More and more people are taking yoga classes in order to make their bodies firmer and fitter.
Nevertheless some of the yoga practitioners find out during their exercises that what has started out as purely physical practice may transform into a more spiritual experience. David Life and Sharon Gannon became teachers because they felt the need to communicate the fact that yoga is more than just a system of exercises, but a path to enlightenment and a spiritual practice. Jivamukti yoga is a living translation of the Indian system of yoga for the approach of the westerner mind so that it can be easier to grasp. Among the elements emphasized by Jivamukti yoga there are meditation, devotional chanting or the study of the ancient texts.
There are two possible translations for the term Jivamukti with jiva standing out for the soul individuality and mukti meaning freedom. The word comes from the Sanskrit jivanmuktih, meaning liberation while living. The name Jivamukti yoga reflects the fact that it is possible to have a beneficial and fulfilling life in the world but also progress spiritually, perhaps even attaining liberation while living.
There are five tenets of Jivamukti yoga which must be considered before taking into account the practice of it. The first one is the study of the ancient yoga teaching including Sanskirt chanting. Then comes the necessity to acknowledge that reaching the universal consciousness is the purpose of all yoga teachings. The third tenet is Ahimsa, that urges for a non-violent, compassionate life-style, which stresses the importance of ethical vegetarianism.
The forth one is the Nada, as the creation of a sound mind in a sound both through deep listening. The last tenet of Jivamukti yoga, although not the least, is meditation, that paves the way to the ever-lasting reality inside of us. Another fact to be considered before taking on Jivamukti yoga is the fact that the classes tend to be quite physically intense. Although it may seem difficult, the great fame of Jivamukti yoga in the United States cannot pass unnoticed; there is a Jivamukti yoga School in New York, and there are trained teachers teaching it all over the country.
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