The Bodhi Flow

 A lot of people ask me how my class differs from other types of yoga. I tell them that I have been certified to teach all types of yoga but that I specialize in a flow series called the Bodhi Flow, which was created by the founder of Bodhi Yoga, Syl Carson. The philosophy behind Bodhi Yoga is basically a yoga practice that honors the three primary ways that Mother Nature manifests herself into the physical world (Rajas, Sattva and Tamas).  Rajas, or Rajasic energy is a forward-backward movement. Its movement is dynamic, insistent and passionate. 

Sattvic energy is a side-to-side movement. It is light, delicate, clear and graceful. It is steady and balanced. 

Finally, Tamasic energy is an upward-downward movement that is strong, deep and internally focused.

The specific vinyasa series that I mainly teach (the Bodhi Flow) honors Sattva with a movement of yoga poses that flow together in an inspired way.  It moves more slowly than a traditional vinyasa series. Its primary focus is releasing the core tightness of the body, which is achieved by focusing on slow, steady movements in which individual postures cease to be one, but rather mold into each other.  This slower pace allows us to achieve our desired goal with fewer repetitions than your traditional faster paced vinyasas.  Not only are we are able to experience the realities of our mind, body, and spirit connection more deeply, but we are also able to more fully breathe with each movement when we don’t have to shorten our breath to keep up with the faster paced and more repetitious vinyasas.

I teach elements of the Bodhi Flow in all of my classes, however I modify it slightly to make each class unique.  For example, in prenatal yoga we generally modify some of the more difficult poses, cut out some of the deeper twists, and then finish with some more restorative poses that help to address many of the negative side effects of pregnancy. The great thing about this flow series is that it can be modified to fit any class level.  It can easily be made more or less intense, depending on the energy of the specific class or individual.  So come on out to one of my classes and experience Bodhi Yoga for yourself!

Namaste

www.gobodhiyoga.com