The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj, means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as "union" or connection. A centuries-old practice originating in India, yoga is an ancient and evolving scientific art that merges body and mind through movement, breath, and awareness.

Ironically, for a word that means “union”, there are many different schools and branches of yoga. In the west, the most widely known is Hatha Yoga. The word hatha means forceful, so called because of its emphasis on discipline and dynamic practice. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical postures (asanas) designed to optimize physical alignment and allow energy to flow freely.

Hatha is also broken down further in that ha means "sun" and tha means "moon." Hatha yoga unifies the power of the sun and the moon – the male and female energies within all of us.

All of the yogas that focus on postures are a form or style of hatha yoga: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and Power yoga to name a few. Each offers a slightly different stylistic approach and all have amazing benefits. Asanas strengthen the body while creating greater flexibility and ease of movement. Combined with focused awareness, the practice takes you deeper into self-realization and understanding of not only physical, but emotional and mental patterns as well. This is where the deeper layers of change start taking place.

The Light that yoga sheds on life is something special… It does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees. BKS Iyengar

The classes I teach are profoundly inspired by Anusara Yoga. Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “going with the flow,” “following your heart.” Founded by John Friend in 1997, (www.anusara.com) Anusara Yoga is a powerful hatha yoga system that celebrates a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment™. Anusara Yogas' remarkable popularity is due in large part to its uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart," that looks for the good in all people and all things. This combined with precise therapeutic alignment principles, has made Anusara Yoga is one of the fastest growing yoga styles in the world.

Yoga invites us to awaken. It calls upon us to bring our mind, body and breath to the same place at the same time, allowing us to quiet the mind and focus solely on what is unfolding in the present moment. But don’t just take my word for it. Practice and find out for yourself!