ANUSARA YOGA IN THE NETHERLANDS

 

When people ask me what style yoga I teach, the answer usually leaves a puzzled look on the face of the person asking. Even though Yoga Moves has had an Anusara Inspired yoga class on their schedule for a while now, Anusara yoga is still very new in The Netherlands. Even among serious yogis and teachers alike, Anusara yoga seems to be somewhat of a mystery. People that have heard of it, know it has something to do with opening the heart. So it’s about time to get some of the facts about this new yoga style out in the open!   Anusara yoga is a yoga method that was created in the USA by John Friend in 1997. The name Anusara means “Flowing with Grace” or “Following your heart.” One thing that distinguishes Anusara yoga is that it is based on ancient texts commonly refered to as a Non-dual philosophy. Even though this ancient philosophy is interweaved in every class, when you walk into an Anusara class, it feels anything but old and stuffy! What also charactarizes this yoga style, apart from the philosophy,  is Anusara’s Universal principles of Alignment. These are biomechanical principles that help you align your mind, body and spirit in each yoga pose. Mixing these principles with the Non-dual philosophy that celebrates the goodness in life and in people, you get a yoga style that has the power to lift you to new levels of asana, joy and freedom!

 

I started my yoga path when living in the USA. I had finished my vinyasa teacher training (ryt500) and was already teaching for a year or so when I was first introduced to Anusara yoga.   At that time, I was really serious about my practice and teaching. Sometimes maybe even a bit too serious! At times I felt something was holding me back and preventing me from going deeper in my poses- a frustrating experience for anyone, even a yoga teacher! The introduction to Anusara started to change my perception of my practice. I felt as if there was a lightness to this style that lifted me up. The alignment principles showed me the way to go beyond what I was doing before and I started feeling happy after taking these classes. My own practice was developping and I was trying out new and exciting things!

 

 

The Anusara yoga is a physical and dynamic practice where creativity and skill come together. We look for our boundaries as a way to express the goodness in ourselves and beauty that is present everywhere. Both teachers and students create a space in which everybody feels welcome and supported so we can all help each other reach new levels and have fun doing it! 

 

Diversity is something that is honored in the Anusara community, both in students and teachers. You will feel this the moment you start doing workshops and trainings. We work together. Although everyone subscribes to the spirit and philosophy of Anusara yoga, creative freedom is seen as life-affirming and good. There is only one certified Anusara teacher (Jayendra Hanley)currently teaching in The Netherlands. The standards for teachers to become certified in Anusara yoga are among the highest in the world and it takes time, energy and passion to become fully certified. Because of this , a seperate level has been created for teachers that are well on their way to certification but aren’t there yet: Anusara InspiredÒ yoga teachers. Yoga Moves has two teachers that are Anusara Inspired; Sandra Wind-Carson and Trix Marinusse.
 
 

Yoga Moves is the first studio in the Netherlands to have regular Anusara workshops on their schedule from both visiting teachers as well as “in-house” teachers and offer 2 Anusara Inspired yoga classes a week. Sandra Wind-Carson teaches a Sunday morning class and will be teaching a backbend workshop on Sunday afternoon May 23 at Yoga Moves. You can find more information about Sandra and Anusara on her website www.Flowingwithgrace.nl.