UNIQUE FEATURES OF VINIYOGA® TRADITION
REPRESENTING THE CLASSICAL YOGA TEACHING
Our tradition traces its origins through a contiguous line to an eighth century Yogi called Nāthamuni, and hence we are among the most well established traditions of Yoga. We teach Yoga in this authentic tradition that has seen T.Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar as its most recent grandmasters. Our teaching of Yoga is based on how it was understood by the Yogis of the past, as a spiritual, energetic and holistic practice that is connected to the sacred texts of the Vedas and the Ṛṣi-s of the past, yet we ‘translate’ the knowledge so that modern day practitioners can understand and apply it.
All of our teachings are based on, and consistent with the classical source texts of Yoga such as Patañjali’s Yogasūtra, Nāthamun'i’s Yogarahasya, Yogayājñavalkya-saṁhitā and Haṭhayogapradīpikā.
ONE-TO-ONE TEACHING
The most important principle of our tradition is that the needs of each individual has to be respected based on their physical, mental, emotional, psychological state, as well as their wants, lifestyle, spiritual path and outlook in life. Therefore each of our students gets their own personalised practice that he or she has to practice on her or his own. The practices we give are holistic in nature, they address not just the physical layer, but also the energetic, emotional, psychological, mental and spiritual layers of our existence. Because of the personalisation of the practices, they can render profound changes and can address problems, blockages and diseases in the physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual layer.
Teaching students one-to-one is the most important requisite of Yoga, as everyone of us is different and needs a different practice to thrive, heal, evolve and grow. In this regard we offer variations and modifications for every tool of Yoga, so that it suits the individual appropriately.
UTILISING THE WHOLE RANGE OF YOGIC TOOLS
When compared to other traditions that mostly focus only on utilisation of Āsana-s (Postures), in the Viniyoga® tradition, all the classical tools of Yoga are used to support a person’s journey, be it for wellbeing, healing or spiritual transformation. Following the classical teachings laid out by masters like Patañjali, we take a holistic view of life and therefore offer a multidimensional approach to live with it.
Our most important tools include Āsanas (Postures), Prāṇāyāma (Breathing Techniques), Mantras and Vedic Chanting, Bhāvanā (Visualization), Mudrās (Seals), Bandhas ( specific locks that can release trapped energy), Dhyānam (Meditation), Nyāsa (Placements), Āhāra (Dietary Suggestions) and Vihāra (Lifestyle Suggestions).
FINDING INNER VOICE | MANTRA & CHANTING
One of the special disciplines that our Ācārya Tirumalai Krishnamacharya propagated for our path of Yoga is Mantra & Vedic Chanting. Although, traditionally the practice of such chanting was only allowed for initiated male Brahmins, T Krishnamacharya opened the doors of this practice to every sincere seeker. It is a process in which we not just literally find our own voice, but often discover deeper layers of our true Self and remember our connection to the divine. There are strict rules that adhere to the pronunciation and grammar of the Vedic Chants which ensure that the texts are chanted in the same manner as the Ṛṣi-s had received them centuries ago. Only then the same sacred vibration is produced and will render the expected results.
Chanting is one of the disciplines that we strongly advocate in our tradition. It is also integrated in the Yoga practices that we prescribe to students to help find their own inner voice.
HEALING JOURNEY | YOGA THERAPY
One of the biggest obstacles on our spiritual path is any form of disease, be it in our body, mind or spirit. A process of engaging with Yoga as a healing device is nowadays known as Yoga Cikitsaka or Yoga Therapy. In Yoga Therapy the focus of the Yoga practices lies in the alleviation of pain or sickness. Therefore all the tools of Yoga are applied adequately to facilitate healing in an individual. The Yogis of the past understood that the different layers of our existence like mind, psyche and body are intrinsicly interconnected. Therefore to enable healing, one has to work with a holistic healing modality such as Yoga, which can render subtle and profound changes in different dimensions. Apart from Yoga’s tools, Yoga Therapy is also closely associated with a refined knowledge of Ayurveda, including the three different consititutions (doshas), pulse reading and dietary recommendations. T. Krishnamacharya was known as an exceptional healer who even knew how to mix Ayurvedic medicines by himself. T.K.V. Desikachar is known as the most famous Yoga Therapist of modern times and founded the world’s first Yoga Therapy Clinic in Chennai in 1976. With their great dedication to healing, Yoga Therapy forms an integral part of our teaching tradition. Careseekers from around the world seek Yoga Therapy sessions in our center or online to find relief from a multitude of different diseases ranging from asthma over depression up to insomnia. In order to spread the knowledge on Yoga Therapy around the world, we also train Yoga Teachers in an in-depth training over three years to become highly skilled Yoga Therapists.