| Intertwining the mind, body, and energy is the primary | | | | Many use this popular form of yoga to combine |
| goal of Kripalu yoga. Those who practice it believe | | | | physical fitness with self growth and the |
| that the body contains energy pulsations in a flow that | | | | empowerment of the self. In Kripalu, you will learn to |
| are called prana, which is sometimes referred to as life | | | | lead yourself through self-examination rather than |
| force. The idea is that the smallest thought or worry | | | | through a leader or instructor. In this form of yoga, |
| can cause problems with the prana in your physical | | | | leadership is there only to help you turn yourself into |
| body. That is why Kripalu is important; it is a way of | | | | your own leader. Your sensitivity to self, others, and |
| being aware of the prana and using breathing with | | | | your own body will increase from the focus you will |
| thought to prevent blockage or disturbance of the life | | | | receive when you look inside. To take it deeper, many |
| force in your body. In turn, you will feel an increased | | | | believe that you are using your body to as a temple to |
| level of mental clarity and emotional control. | | | | attract the presence of those powers greater than |
| Boiled down to its essence, Kripalu yoga is about | | | | yourself. Though some may be skeptical, many more |
| looking at yourself in order to free you. Kripallu yoga | | | | feel such presences when led there through their own |
| followers believe that by simply examining and | | | | self-examination. |
| experiencing physical, emotional, and mental processes, | | | | When you learn Kripalu from an instructor, you will find |
| you begin to erase blockages in the prana. In turn, this | | | | that it usually does not matter what your level is in |
| creates a better flow of life force inside you and | | | | yoga. The classes are generally conducted in the |
| invokes a feeling of physical and mental well-being. | | | | same way for new yoga practitioners and veterans |
| Why Kripalu? | | | | alike. The emphasis, remember, is on looking inside |
| Yoga, in all its forms, has been shown to be highly | | | | yourself and seeing what is there. Though there are |
| effective in honing the physical human body. This is | | | | postures and a "right" way to do them, you will likely be |
| much of the reason for yoga's immense popularity. | | | | encouraged to concentrate on your mental state and |
| What Kripalu does, though, is use the physical body | | | | on increasing the flow of your prana. |
| and yoga's benefits to it as a vehicle for pursuing the | | | | Moreover, Kripalu is truly about life change. You will |
| greater good of mental and emotional stability and | | | | learn to focus on your spiritual well being outside of the |
| clarity. Hence, many believe it to be the most complete | | | | classroom as well as while you're on the yoga mat, |
| and beneficial form of yoga. The idea is that as you | | | | contributing to your overall well being and helping you |
| release your emotional and mental impurity, you | | | | on your way to being the best person you can be. |
| increase the amount of prana in your system which in | | | | Kripalu is a unique form of yoga. With emphasis on |
| turn also helps with physical healing and performance. | | | | looking at the self and ridding it of all that has gone |
| Of course, when all yoga practices and meditation are | | | | awry, this form of yoga is about more than just fitness |
| prefaced with techniques, such as the Maharic Seal | | | | of the body. It is about fitness of emotions, spirit, and |
| (Azurite Press), that seal the body's energy fields from | | | | even a little bit of the soul. |
| external influences, the experience of self knowledge | | | | References: |
| is both clearer and authentic. Kripalu yoga does not | | | | 1. discoveryyoga.com/KripaluY. |
| teach this, however. | | | | |