What Kind of yoga ...... There are many different "Name Brands" that describe different types of hatha yoga. Some examples are "Iyengar" or "Asthanga" yoga. These name brands are simply different styles of the generic "hatha yoga". Each style is a different approach to the same poses, and is a reflection of the personality of the founder. I did not "found" this style of yoga, nor do I create it. I describe some of what yoga has offered to me in order to help people find the same experiences inside themselves. People ask "What kind of yoga do you teach?" How can we describe an experience of the wordless place of perfect being that is inherent in every person? Svaroopa Yoga. To understand this name is to understand the essence of yoga, which is my goal for every student in every class. Begin with the word "yoga". As has oft been described, it comes from the sanskrit root yuj, which means to unite or to yoke together. However, the Pratyabhiyñahrdayam, An ancient yogic text, makes it clear that yoga is not connection, but re-connection. The word "yoga" does not mean union of two separate things, but the reunion of those things which only seemed separate. While you experience yourself as being separate from everything, you have a deeper sense of your true Self behind the scenes. Just behind the thoughts and activity of your mind, there is a deeper knowing which is an inner certitude of Being that you rarely access. This is who you really are, pure consciousness. Your true Self is not limited by identifying with the specifics that we allow ourselves to be defined by. The word "yoga" is often used to refer to the practices of yoga, including poses, breathing, meditation, chanting, focusing techniques and more. These practices give you access to the inner experience of true Self. Along the way you also get stronger, more flexible, healthier, younger, and more positive. Thus, many people are drawn to yoga for these obvious benefits. But "yoga" does not mean exercise, nor even meditation. "Yoga" means the inner experience of union that is your birthright as a human being. Now consider the word "Svaroopa" ", a compound of "sva" and "roopa". Swa'' means Self?? the Truth or reality of your own being. Roopa" means form or shape and refers to your physical body. Modern physicists have described now our physical world is actually comprised of swirls of energy moving at incredible speeds through vast amounts of empty space. Your own body is part of the physical world and is made of the same. In Svaroopa Yoga, we use the physical body as a gateway to perceive this other level of Reality, the energy which is manifesting as your own body. The Sanskrit name for this energy is "Chitti" or consciousness. The name Svaroopa Yoga describes both our goal in yoga, and the means we use to attain it. We use your physical form [roopa] to access your true form [Svaroopa]. We are practicing yoga for its original purpose, described by the sages thousands of years ago. Reunion with your own true nature. © Rama Berch (MYA)