Anahata Yoga

Anahata Yoga is a meditative flowing hatha yoga developed by teacher Ana Costa. Its aim is to "deeply connect, expand and awaken" the students' hearts through the practice of breathing exercises (Pranayama), Yoga postures (Asanas), and Meditation (Dharana).

History

Anahata Yoga was inspired by a statement given by Ana's Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. According to him, it was "suicide to walk, sit, rest, talk or lie down with a caved-in chest. Doing so starves the lungs of oxygen which later causes problems in the spine."Fact|date=February 2008 The statement struck Ana and she decided to focus her classes on opening the Anahata or heart center. She believes that this corrects bad posture, opens respiration, and allows life force to enter and sustain the body unimpeded; giving students an attitude of preparedness for life.

Ana Costa arrived in Encinitas, California in 1999 from Rio de Janeiro Brazil and she registered Anahata with the Yoga Alliance in 2002, although the first classes were taught in 2001. The teaching of Anahata Yoga is the culmination of decades of study and practice of Raja Yoga. Teacher training by Anahata has produced more than 200 cerified teachers each year Fact|date=February 2008.

Yogaschool|name=Anahata yoga
color=purple
bgcolor=white
religious_origins=Non-denominational, inspired by Hinduism
regional_origins=United States
founding_guru=Created by Ana Costa
popularity=Most popular in Southern California. Teachers in Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, and New Zealand, etc.
derivatives=Meditative Anahata, Recuperative Anahata
related_schools=
practice_emphases=Meditative flow of yoga postures
other_topics=Anahata (heart) chakra

ignifigance of the anahata chakra

The anahata is the fourth primary chakra, positioned in the area of the heart. This chakra is associated with compassion, love, charity, humor, and courage. It is associated, too, with the ability to make decisions outside the bounds of karma in a way known as "following one's heart" or "having a change of heart."

Practice

Anahata prescribes a "flow" of exercises, postures and short meditations. As a rule, the flow is not designed to be physically taxing but rather natural, and to encourage full breathing, awakening of the heart, and calmness.

The usual order of the practice is as follows: seated meditation with the setting of personal intentions in the silence of the heart and establishment of the breath, followed by asanas in a sequence designed to move and stimulate the spine. A brief set of warming asanas on the floor leads to standing poses, balancing poses and a short standing meditation (Stambasana).

The instructor leads the class with short descriptions of each step of the flow, spoken quietly (although in some cases, classes may be silent). During the flow, the instructor may adjust and correct individual's postures with gentle touch guidance. Breathing in unison with movement is emphasized.

Postures on the floor further open joints and the body's energy. This set of asanas is also concluded with a short meditation. Reclining postures complete the active practice. A final pose, savasana, allows the physical cooling of the body and a time of deep inner awareness and peace with one's self. Finally, the students sit upright to bring to mind once more their intentions and receive the teacher's blessing.

External links

* [http://anahataheartyoga.com Anahata Yoga]
* [http://anahatayoga.org/?page=1 Class descriptions and photos]