Jivamukti, meaning liberation while living, is one of the newest styles of yoga that is becoming increasingly popular in the West. Similar to vinyasa-style yoga, Jivamukti emphasizes flowing and fast-paced movements that are designed to boost your heart rate and facilitate the circulation of blood in your body.
Jivamukti got its start in New York City in the mid-1980’s, but now has official yoga centers all over the world. Its founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life, combined their study of ashtanga with yogic principles and encourage their students to incorporate yoga philosophy into their daily lives.
One of the best aspects of this type of yoga is that it is never boring! Not only are the poses physically intense, but each class has a particular theme, which is explored through different types of music, chanting, meditation, scripture, and deep breathing. The practice is centered around five core beliefs: scripture, devotion, prayer, music, and meditation. All five of these tenets are incorporated into the typical Jivamukti practice to help the student reach a heightened sense of awareness about his/her body and mind.
One of the strengths of Jivamukti is that the series of poses is designed in a creative and intelligent sequence that is intended to keep your mind and body moving. In a typical class, students practice sun salutations, hip opening exercises, standing poses, forward and backward bends, and inversions. During the course of the practice, students take the time to chant and listen to music, which is geared towards creating a mood that is conducive to meditation. Meditation is strongly encouraged during each class, and a some instruction on how to quiet your mind and body is given at each lesson.
The Jivamukti style of yoga has become so popular that it is gaining some pretty famous students. If you attend class in the New York headquarters, you might bump into these yogi-celebrities: Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Donna Karan, Russell Simmons, and sting.
So, is Jivamukti right for you? You will probably enjoy this type of yoga if you are looking for a tough workout that is much more than a purely physical activity. Since chanting and philosophy is included in each class, students should come prepared to learn about the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of this branch of yoga.
