Yoga Articles and Comments
Vijnana Yoga
Practicing From Inside
Two Yoga teachers have strongly influenced my personal practice, one of whom teaches or “guides” us in Vijnana Yoga. Each of us is very different and if you are like me you will find that different styles of Yoga will resonate with you at different points in the development of your practice. If you have the chance to explore Vijnana Yoga I would suggest that you try a few classes or workshops.
I’ll quote a line from Cathy Valentine’s web site:
"Vijnana yoga is a practice in being present to the deep intelligence of the body – mind – heart. When the mind is quiet, the body relaxed and the breath at ease, then an intuition can surface that guides us through conscious movement, action and thought."
Vijnana Yoga, developed by Orit Sen-Gupta, is based upon Seven Vital Principals:
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Relaxing the Body
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Quieting the Mind
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Focusing Through Intent
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Rooting
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Connecting
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Awareness of Breath
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Expanding – Elongating and Widening
If you wish to read an explanation of each of the principals, www.vijnanayoga.org has a better article than I could write for you. However, the list itself is a good start to understanding Vijnana Yoga. Much like Somatic Education, Vijnana Yoga focuses on observing the body from within. Orit Sen-Guptu describes it as “listening from inside.” Cathy Valentine’s site also has some excellent material on Vijnana Yoga.
Orit Sen-Gupta has practiced Yoga for over 30 years and founded the Vijnana Yoga School in Israel and offers international teacher training. Vijnana Yoga Certification requires 800 hours of training over a three year program. Gioia Irwin, a student of Orit Sen-Gupta has taught Vijnana Yoga to many teachers on the West Coast of BC. Unfortunately I was not able to find a list of certified teachers although Cathy Valentine’s site has a partial list and I am aware of the following:
Valley Yoga Centre |
Valley Yoga Centre is an attractive and peaceful Yoga studio in Duncan, BC. It is a place to explore Vijnana yoga, incorporating the teachings of Orit Sen-Gupta, Dona Holleman and Gioia Irwin. As well as regularly scheduled classes they offer workshops and retreats. Sandy Crichton, owner of Valley Yoga, has over 20 years of experience. Although Sandy is a certified Hatha Yoga and a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher she has chosen to teach Vijanan yoga. Sandy has studied in the Vignana tradition with Orit Sen-Gupta and Gioia Irwin; she has completed teacher training with Cathy Valentine. |
Salt Spring Centre for Yoga |
The Saltspring Centre of Yoga is a respected training centre of Classical Ashtanga Yoga for all levels of practitioner and teacher. The Centre offers retreats and "getaways" as well as regular yoga classes. The Centre is based "on the ideal of karma yoga or selfless service." |
Vijnana Yoga with Cathy Valentine |
Cathy Valentine teaches Vijnana Yoga at her studio on Saltspring Island. Cathy has studied under Giolia Irwin, studied Yoga in India and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. Cathy has been teaching Vijnana Yoga since 1999. She also has a BA in Philosophy. |
Valley Health and Fitness |
Ana Philipson, who also teaches at Valley Yoga Centre, also holds Vijnana Yoga classes at Valley Health and Fitness - a gym in the Mill Bay/Cobble Hill area. Ana has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UBC, is a certified Yoga Fit teacher through the YWCA and is continuing her education through the Salt Spring Yoga Centre. |
Tracy Groshak |
Tracy Groshak combines Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vijnana yoga at her studio (vijnanayogastudio.com) in Vancouver, BC. |