Off The Mat
Discover Jivamukti Yoga in SF
By Maya Charles
For the next 90 minutes in your first-ever Jivamukti class, you will be like Neo in The Matrix, seeking a life in the “real world.” The path is Jivamukti (jeehv-ah-mukhti) yoga, one of nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha. Jivamukti yoga reflects the endeavor of living a fulfilling life in the world and, at the same time, growing spiritually. Instead of tuning out the existing world around you, this practice teaches that consciousness rests in appreciating your natural environment for all the beauty and grit that exists throughout your day. Welcome to the Desert of the Real.
Derived from the Sanskrit “jivamuktih” — meaning “liberation while living” — and taught in the Vinyasa style, the method combines meditation, melodic chanting of the Sanskrit mantra and spiritual teachings from source texts with the vigorous demand of the physical instruction of the asana.
The evolution of Jivamukti began in New York City, where, 20 years ago, artists Sharon Gannon and David Life fused their passion for the exercise of yoga with the desire to learn from inspiring gurus. They eventually taught the yoga to friends, and in 1989, the duo opened the first Jivamukti Yoga Center in downtown Manhattan on 2nd Avenue and 9th Street. With bright colors, spiritually uplifting music and ancient Indian scriptures that were “genuinely exciting,” the center’s radically unique approach took root and grew in popularity. Renowned designer Donna Karan and Sting are two of the devoted “Jivamuktas” who practice there. Independently owned centers exist in London, Munich, Toronto and Detroit.
In San Francisco, the second generation of Jivamukti teachers enlighten The City’s spiritually conscious community at dynamic studios such as the Yoga Studio of SF and Yoga Tree. “This is not the most popular style of yoga,” says SF teacher Amanda Moran, “but we teach to preserve the teachings of our loving teachers. We keep the lessons alive and it pushes and inspires us.”
She speaks of herself and the four other certified Jivamukti spiritual guides offering open-level to advanced classes throughout San Francisco (see list above). Trained in New York, Moran was the first certified Jivamukti instructor to establish classes for SF students, followed soon after by her husband Jeremy, who became certified in NY. Both offer classes and assist with national yoga conferences.
“This is a whole body workout, structured with distinction,” notes Jeremy. The combination of forward, backward, twist and inversion movement represents a foundation of 14 points. Emphasis on Vinyasa krama throughout breath and movement allows the body to open and heighten consciousness. Although a vigorous exercise, the teachers identify the varying levels of their students and modify according to physical demands and limitations.
What makes Jivamukti truly unique is the opportunity for the teachers and the students to evolve. The teachers stick to the principles but they are given a safe amount of freedom to add their own color. The hope is to create a groundwork of dedication, intention and self-realization in the practitioner.
With the gentle coexistence of Patanjali, meditation, music, physical posture and breath, together Jivamukti students seek to discover a new level of self-realization, becoming consciously aware as one within, but also outside of themselves.
Maya Charles is a certified yoga teacher in San Francisco, who has written about yoga, nature and culture in Malaysia.
