Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Jivamukti

What it is

   A physical, edge-pushing practice that reintegrates yoga's traditional spiritual elements in an educational way for Western practitioners. Expect a theme for each class, Sanskrit chanting, and references to ancient scripture. Created by Sharon Gannon and David Life in 1984 in New York City, jivamukti translates as "liberation while living." 
 
Best For   Experiencing an authentic, all-encompassing yoga practice. Part of the five tenets (see below) include tolerance towards all forms of religious beliefs (bhakti) and vegetarianism (ahimsa).

Who's gotta have it   Traditionalists. Jivamukti is heavily rooted in the traditions of yogic scripture including philosophy and chanting.

Need to know   Jivamukti encourages students to find a state of enlightenment in and out of their practice. You may get a spiel on social, political, or animal rights activism with asana. Five tenets form the foundation of each class: scripture, bhakti (devotion to God), ahimsa (nonviolence), nada yoga (yoga of sound), and meditation.

Trends and trivia   Gannon and Life are BFFs with Sting and Trudie Styler. Among their five worldwide centers, the downtown New York City one draws celebs from Russell Simmons to Christy Turlington.

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