Akhanda Yoga

 Akhanda Yoga

Akhanda is a Sanskrit word which means indivisible, unbroken tradition, entire and whole. Akhanda is the first word of an inspiring Vedic mantra chanted in class.

Guru Puja

Akhanda mandala karam

Vyaptam jena chara charam

Tatpadam darshitam jena

Tasmae shri gurave namah

This cosmos and the manifest universe is one indivisible entity

Akhanda Yoga offers a holistic, all encompassing, integral style of Yoga with an emphasis on the balanced sequences of a yogic theme, mantra, pranayama, asana, relaxation and meditation. This integral approach to a yoga class is intended to introduce students to diverse teachings, techniques and yogic philosophy. When Akhanda Yoga is practiced and understood holistically it benefits the individual and humanity by bringing harmony and equilibrium into our lives, family and society ... You become the pebble on the pond of life.

As yoga is fundamentally an experiential and inner inquiry practice, you are encouraged to explore how the posture feels and how it manifests in your body. Akhanda is a student-centred journey which is at the heart of this experiential yoga tradition, you are encouraged to truly honour your own unique expression, immersing yourself in the diverse aspects of this beautifully rich yogic tradition

Akhanda 1 

Teaches basic principles of breath, movement, alignment and relaxation to beginner students. This class presents the most common postures that can be practiced by anyone in the standard or modified form. Students also learn three-part yogic breathing, ocean-sounding breath and some practical concentration and meditation techniques. In this level, students become aware of tightness they carry in the body, and into the asana practice, and begin to breathe and move from a state of relaxation. They are guided to move with the breath and let the breath initiate movement. This level aims to balance flexibility and strength, cleanse the body and help the practitioner attain a natural state of health. 

 Akhanda 2

Inspires intermediate students to journey further into their exploration of the mind/body connection through more complex balancing, strengthening and inverted postures, as well as additional pranayama techniques (such as anuloma viloma and kapalabhati) with slightly longer meditations. In this level, we direct breath and prana into different parts of the body according to the focus of the posture or breathing technique. Students are guided to become aware of the expansion and stimulation of the chakras that are brought about through the techniques. This practice aims to expand the Pranic body evenly, and to heighten the practitioners’ awareness of the flow of prana. In this level students are also encouraged to witness how mantra, asana and pranayama help to release any blockages, and to cleanse the mind of negative or compulsive thought patters, thoughts or emotions which are no longer needed.

Akhanda Flow 

Akhanda Flow is intended to inspire those who are flexible and/or enjoy a dynamic and physically challenging class to use their bodies to their full potential through poorna (full) variations of standard poses, holding postures, as well as exploring the Pranic, Mental and Emotional levels of awareness. This class may use the sun salutation and variations as a thread through the middle portion of the class. Remembering that the hallmark of our approach is balance, the intensity of strong uplifting asanas toward the beginning of the program will match the intensity of the surrendering postures in the resolution of the class. This gives what is often called a Yin ~ Yang effect. In this level, students will explore further the bandhas and breath retention for the direction and expansion of prana and to facilitate a deeper level of meditation.