Dr. Kateri Porto

Anusara Yoga

The Anusara yoga method is distinguished by the integration of several elements which are common in every class:

• Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness.  Teacher look for the good in all things, especially within themselves and their students. They help enhance and reveal the beauty and Divine qualities that are already present in the student's poses.  Anusara yoga teachers are committed to help build and empower each student's self-esteem, while inspiring light-heartedness, playfulness, and joyful creativity within the yoga practice
• Devotional recognition of the grace-bestowing power of universal Spirit within and around us.
• Hear-oriented theme, which has a meaningful connection to the grand spiritual purposes of asana (yoga poses).  This gives direction for the attitudinal energy that infuses every action and breath in the poses. All the poses in Anusara yoga are expressed from the "inside out".
• The Universal Principles of Alignment, are an elegant, concise set of alignment principles that are applied to each asana.  A central idea is the 3 A's of Anusara yoga: Attitude, Alignment, Action. Every pose is infused with a meaningful intention connected to the grand purposes of yoga, awareness of specific postural alignment, and balanced action between stability and freedom. The specific principles include Muscular energy and Organic Energy, which are the two complementary forces that provide each pose with a balanced action. Other alignment principles include Spirals and Loops, which help to bring refinement and precision to each pose.
• Movements and actions are coordinated with the breath
• Poses are modified or supported with props if necessary to help each student achieve the general form of the pose. The Anusara yoga method is designed to serve students of any level of experience or ability.
• Postural demonstrations may be used when necessary to clarify alignment instructions.
• Practicing variations of the basic poses is encouraged as a full expression of the human spirit. There are over 250 poses that compile the syllabii of Anusara yoga asanas. This syllabus encompasses all the poses that are commonly practiced in the foremost hatha yoga style throughout the world.
• There are no set postural routines in Anusara yoga, yet classes are designed using principles of sequencing progressively help students of all levels advance in their practice.
• Students are left with a blessing or reminder on how to continue to embody the heart theme "off the mat" in their daily life.

Yoga Class Schedule