YOGA with Carl Hargreaves
Yoga is a path to fully realise ourselves: Heal ourselves and those around us;
live from the heart; openly; balanced; centred; happy and at ease; integrated
and whole; yoga can help you to achieve your potential.
Carl's interpretation of classical yoga is mainly derived from Sri Krishnamacharia,
and his primary students: T.K.V. Desikachar (Viniyoga); B.K.S. Iyengar;
Pattabhi Joyce (Ashtanga Vinyasa) and the work of Vanda Scaravelli.
"Now yoga is revealed.
Yoga is stillness of mind
then awareness of our essential nature is established."
(Yoga Sutra of Patangali: 1. 1-3)
Yoga is integration of the whole person. A tranformation of mind, body and
spirit occurs. In a yoga class we perform exercises that heal the body, calm
and focus the mind, and resolve the emotions. Then our true nature can be
clearer to us.
In a yoga class attention is given to breath, movement, alignment, energy
and stillness. Opening, stabilising, softening, strengthening, and healing mind
and body for meditation and self realisation.
Yoga is practiced according to the needs of every student in the group. Other considerations taken into account include the season, the time of day, the
environment, the weather, etc. and how we progress. Yoga can be different
and refreshing. Carl has a wide understanding of yoga that he applies uniquely
in each context. Classes can be dynamic. Physically challenging variations are
given to those who are strong or flexible. enough to make approapriate. Class
can be done gently but deeply, until strength and flexibility develop. You are
encouraged to practice sensitively, at your own pace. This is ideal both for
beginners, and for advanced students to progress and clarify technique.
Carl will share what he knows so that you can hold the keys to creating and
establishing and refining your own practice. He is able to draw on his experience
of martial arts, and dance, putting yoga in a new light.
"Yoga" has many meanings.
One definition is to join, or connect with what is real. According to the heart
teaching of yoga, the true 'I', our essential self is consciousness, we are the
light of pure attention, our being is this, which is present now...
If we can identify our true self as this pure awareness, we will be beyond
sufferings. The mind will be happier, and we will see things clearly as they are.
