The origin of Power Yoga came from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Mysore, India, a renowned Sanskrit scholar who inspired Western practitioners with his Ashtanga Yoga tradition and philosophy. The series empowers more than physical endurance, it brings about discipline, mental stability and concentration. Power Yoga is modified from the Ashtanga Yoga style in that it employs more variety in the sequences such that no single session is the same, thus opening up to asana / pranayama / meditation techniques from every tradition. The source is ancient and pure, and our approach here is necessary for the time we live in now.

This method is a dynamic combination of precise postures, intuitive discovery, and body / mind rejuvenation that results in transforming limitations into power. Each session is driven by a powerful sankalpa or FORCE which is inherent throughout the session either stated or implicit. This force is known in two forms; theme or peak.

THEME

The theme itself may be spoken or unspoken as per the nature of the same at the discretion of the instructor.  Like any sankalpa, the theme will manifest in the student’s body, breath, and mind - gross, subtle, and more subtle from the initial presencing ritual into the asana and pranayama ending with a pratyahara or dharana practice at the subtlest level.

PEAK

The peak practice typically is specific to a particular zone in the body. This can be any asana, pranayama or concentration technique. But is limited to one. This practice is done typically when the body is heated up to the point of sweating. For example; chakra asana done right after a series of 12 sun salutations. The instructor of an open power yoga class will typically can ask the students for favorite postures, ailments, and get a general idea of the stress level without getting too personal. Instructors are not encouraged to make emotional ties with any student, however, those loved ones whom you already have a relationship are encouraged to join your class.

SHATKARMAS (neti, kunjal, lagoo and trataka)

Once a month a kriya can be brought into the beginning of any session. They are inexpensive, easy to prepare and have a powerful curative and preventative effect on the whole body/mid.

YOGA NIDRA

Modern neurophysiologists have been able to demonstrate an obvious relationship between the body and the brain which was recognized by yogis thousands of years ago. Using stimulating electrodes to probe the brain's surface, neurosurgeons have shown that each part of the body is precisely mapped out along the surface of the central gyrus or fold of the sensory-motor cortex of the brain.The brain is the physical mediator of consciousness, linking mind, body and emotions into one harmonious unit. The practice of yoga nidra begins at the end of the nerve pathway, by heightening the awareness of the body in order to stimulate the brain. The movement of awareness through the parts of the body not only induces physical relaxation, but also clears all the nerve pathways to the brain, both those governing the physical activity and those concerned with incoming information. In this way, yoga nidra relaxes the mind through relaxing the body. Psychosomatic imbalance is restored spontaneously due to the liberation of prana or nervous energy, which is withdrawn from the sensory channels and modalities as the pratyahara state is attained.