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Kripalu Yoga

Kripalu Yoga: The Yoga of Consciousness

Kripalu Yoga is a gentle, introspective style of Hatha yoga that emphasizes self-compassion, awareness, and "meditation in motion." The core teaching of Kripalu Yoga is "self-observation without judgment."

The Three Stages

  1. Stage One: Willful Practice: Learning the mechanics of the poses and listening to the body's signals.
  2. Stage Two: Willful Surrender: Holding poses for longer to deepen inner awareness.
  3. Stage Three: Meditation in Motion: A spontaneous, intuitive flow guided by the body's own intelligence.

What to Expect in a Class

  • Emphasis on Inquiry: The teacher encourages you to notice what you are feeling without judgment.
  • Individualized Approach: Students are encouraged to adapt the poses to suit their own bodies.
  • BRFWA (Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, Allow): A core teaching for working with sensations.
  • The practice is gentle, slow, and meditative.

Key Poses

  • Classic Hatha yoga poses are used, but the focus is on the inner experience rather than a specific sequence.
  • Cat-Cow Pose
  • Child's Pose (Balasana)
  • Gentle twists and forward folds.