Svaroopa yoga is derived from the Sanskrit term for knowing yourself at the deepest level or the bliss of being. Svaroopa yoga is a form of yoga that is designed to creating healing, transformation and illumination.
This type of yoga is different from other forms of yoga that focus on only the physical aspects of the asanas. Svaroopa yoga combines the physical practice with a deeper understanding of the essential nature of the individual. Students are exploring the physical poses and the deeper essence of being.
The poses in Svaroopa yoga are fairly basic and the pace is slow. The poses are held for a bit, rather than quickly moving from one to another, as in many fitness yoga classes. This and the use of props make it a perfect choice for people of all levels of fitness, flexibility and experience.
Svaroopa yoga focuses on asanas to open the muscles of the body, all the way to the spine. The body is opened and tension is released. There is a focus on the muscles surrounding the spine. But the practice isn’t just about opening the body; it is also about opening your inner being. This opening and awareness is the transformative aspect of this type of yoga.
In order to open the body and release the tension, many of the basic yoga poses are modified and props are frequently used to release even the deepest and most ingrained tension. The props are used to help students find the right alignment in the pose and to relax deeply into the stretch.
There is an emphasis on precise alignment in Svaroopa yoga. Instructors are trained to assist and guide the students into correct alignment in the asanas. The tension is released throughout the body from the tailbone, up the spine and to the neck and head. The end result is a complete release of tension and an opening of the body and heart.
To learn more about Svaroopa yoga, find a teacher in your area or DVDs and other materials for a home practice, you can visit their website at svaroopayoga.org.