If you have a specific question, please contact us.

What distinguishes Kripalu Yoga from other types of Hatha yoga?

Most yoga classes available today are hatha yoga classses, for hatha is the yoga which emphasizes movement, meditation, and breathwork. There are many styles of teaching hatha yoga available today...Kripalu, Iyengar, Anusara, Bikram, Integral, etc. etc. etc.
Kripalu* hatha yoga is characterized by its internally directed approach to asana practice emphasizing three stages:

Stage one, "willful practice," teaches the basic mechanics of the postures including placement, alignment and coordination of breath and movement. Your are encouraged to discover your own strengths and areas of tension, and the degree of your flexibility.



Stage two, "will and surrender," shifts concentration to a relaxed holding of the posture. Here, we watch our mental and emotional state, cultivating a meditative quality to the practice.



In stage three, Kripalu yoga emphasizes surrendering to the wisdom of the body, or a "meditation in motion", cultivating deep relaxation, and releasing held tensions within the body-mind.
* Kripalu (krih-PAH-loo) means "being compassionate" in Sanskrit.

How do I go about finding a good yoga teacher?

Ask your prospective teacher about his or her training and credentials. If a teacher is accredited by the Yoga Alliance, which is a national organization, they have undergone at least 200 hours of yoga teacher training by an accredited yoga center. Teacher trainings vary widely in depth and scope.

Then try a class, or several different classes. Note your response to the class...Did you have a rapport with the teacher? How did you feel before and after class? Was the intensity of the class about right? You can find teachers locally by going to www.yogaalliance.org or www.kripalu.org

I'm really out of shape. Can I do yoga?

The practice of yoga begins where you are. It is not about how flexibile, strong or steady you are. In a yoga class, you are encouraged to do what you can, respecting the limits and abilities of your body. It is not a competitive sport, and we are more concerned about listening to the body without judgement than we are about doing a pose "right".



You may wish to start with a private session, where you can receive exclusive attention from your teacher. Contact us for more information.



I'm very athletic, but I have an injury that I'd rather not treat with drugs and/or surgery. What can I do?

Plenty. Again, it's best to work one-on-one with a qualified yoga therapist, to deal with your specific physical concerns and the attending mental and emotional stress. Yoga therapy will address these in a way that is natural, safe, and effective.

You'll be guided and taught to deal with physical and emotional sensations through breathwork, to release the mental tension through guided meditation, and address the physical issues through supported gentle movement and dialogue.



Please contact us for more information.