The American fitness industry has recently begun to recognize flexibility as a component of wellness. Likewise, fitness professionals have identified that they have been emphasizing abdominal strength and have ignored the back. 

As a result, stretches that may resemble yoga to the untrained eye are beginning to find their way into main-stream aerobic classes and other venues. Consumers would be wise to ensure that the stretching instruction they receive is from qualified, professional yoga instructors familiar with all aspects of this practice. 

An example of this trend can be seen with the seated spinal twist. A teacher not professionally trained in yoga might guide his class to sit, cross one leg over the other and twist to look to the back of the room. The emphasis in the student's mind will be on turning as far as possible. The majority of students will be slumped in the low back, rather than arched. One sitz bone will possibly be off the floor all together. The student will initiate the twist from the eyes, start to rotate in the mid-spine and crank the neck to the point of tension. Many students will hold their breath for as long as they hold the pose and many will compress the spine as they release. The student's mind may have already left the room, planning a few errands on the way home. The eyes may be focused on other students or on an image in the mirror.

Yoga
When yoga is offered as a spiritual practice by a qualified instructor in any tradition, the physical body is used as the gateway to perceive the truth of our divine nature. Each pose will be an inwardly directed invitation for focus and attention. The intention will be the integrity and alignment of the pose rather than the degree of exertion or achievement. The qualities of calmness and evenness will be cultivated in both the breath and the mind.

In the example of the spinal twist, the movement would begin at the base of the spine. With an erect spine, the student will balance the lengthening action of the spine while keeping the shoulders down and in. The head will be level, the gaze and breath steady and calm. The eyes will complete rather than initiate the pose. 

Svaroopa Yoga: Bliss Sourced From The Spine
A growing number of New England area yoga teachers are studying Svaroopa Yoga at the Master Yoga Academy in La Jolla, CA. Many of these teachers, already trained in other traditions, found that the Svaroopa approach had such a dramatic impact on their personal practice and in the lives of their students that they have traveled across the country to study with Rama Berch. 

Nancy Nowak, of the Centered Place in Warren MA, states that the Svaroopa approach has translated directly into consistency and commitment on the part of her students. After 10 years of teaching, Nancy had stiffness and pain in her body. A trained body worker and certified yoga teacher and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, Nancy was originally attracted to Rama because of her approach in teaching "Living Experiential Anatomy" "Within five minutes, I knew she knew something I needed. My entire body was released, from the tailbone up." 

Nancy notices that her students arrive early, and are grateful for the opportunity to bring their lives into quietude. She also shares stories of profound changes in the lives of her students. One student, referred to her by a local osteopath, was able to avoid disc removal surgery after learning a series of movements which released his sacrum and tailbone. Other students speak of the ease with which they can garden, golf, shovel snow, and live in their bodies without tension and discomfort. 

Phil Milgrom, who currently teaches in Littleton and Warren, MA was raised in an ashram. In addition to an increased understanding of anatomy, he emphasizes that his Svaroopa studies offered him an enriched spiritual base, sourced from the depth and wisdom of many scriptures. 

Phil explains the Svaroopa methodology using an image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A typical approach might be to try to brace it up or repair any visible brickwork. However, Svaroopa yoga works at the foundation, emphasizing the sacrum and tailbone. According to Phil, for many Americans, the back is overworked. The Svaroopa approach utilizes precision and alignment to release the back, not to strengthen or stretch it. The body supports itself. Gravity often provides release and traction. By combining the elements of prana and apana, (expansion and contraction, openness and groundedness) svaroopa yoga offers union, integration, and holism. 

Adeline Alex, a teacher in the Holliston area, states that Svaroopa brings yoga deep into the body in a gentle and comfortable way. Caroline Kutil, who teaches in Marlboro, explains that this approach targets the muscles that we use to walk and lift and lower the legs. In many individuals, these muscle groups are very strong, but very tight. Caroline, who has taught over 20 years, finds that Svaroopa yoga makes many difficult poses more accessible. 

Melissa Fountain, who teaches in Sherborn and Southboro, was one of the first New England area teacher to study Svaroopa. Melissa says, "it is not about how much you can stretch. Physically, it is about releasing the tailbone. It explores the relationship of the pelvic floor and the hipbones. Svaroopa works with precise angles, including the way the thigh bones angle in at different points. The release in the hips creates de-contraction of the back." 

Student Kathy Gerson, after practicing Svaroopa for one month offered this observation: "Yoga means the inner experience of union that is your birthright as a human being. You don't just experience bliss. You are bliss itself."

____________________

Pat Burke is the director of Earthsong Yoga Center, 186 Main St #14 Marlboro, MA  01752 and the founder of the Massachusetts/New England Yoga Alliance. The Alliance provides free information and referral to all traditions of yoga. For more information please call 508-480-8884 or email at pat@earthsongyoga.com  or visit her website at www.earthsongyoga.com.