Yoga is Sanskrit for “unite”, in which the common goal is spiritual awareness and understanding.  While yoga is an uncommon practice because of its use of physical, mind and soul in a single session, it is customizable to each individual.  No two yogis will practice in the exact same manner.  Instruction is given, but the spirit will determine too much or too little in each practitioner.  The holistic benefits are fit for everyone from teens to elderly, healthy to sick as it is thought to be an internal cleansing of thoughts and nutrition, concentration and spirituality.

Jivamukti is Sanskrit for “liberation while living” and was founded in 1984 in New York City by best-known yogis David Life and Sharon Gannon.  Jivamukti is a combination of ashtanga yoga and spiritual teachings with emphasis on applying yoga philosophy to daily life.  Jivamukti is a vinyasa style (breathing intensive) practice and the classes can be quite physically demanding and intellectually stimulating.  The expected end result is spiritual enlightenment and awareness.

Jivamukti is one of nine globally-recognized styles of Hatha yoga; the other eight include ashtanga, iyengar, viniyoga, sivananda, integral, bikram, kripalu, and kundalini.  Jivamukti is designed for those who are seeking a strong workout and has such practitioners as Sting, Russell Simmons, Christy Turlington, Donna Karan, and Gwyneth Paltrow, among others.   In order to teach Jivamukti yoga, the instructor must have completed a month long, intensive training course to ensure the maximum effectiveness as a teacher of yoga.
There are five beliefs of Jivamukti:  scripture, devotion, prayer, music, and meditation.  In addition, many practitioners of Jivamukti are vegans who are environmentalists, political activists, and animal rights supporters.  The focus of Jivamukti is relationship and responsibility to the earth.

Jivamukti scripture teachings include the study of ancient Sanskrit alphabet and grammar, yoga sutra of Patanjali, and hatha yoga pradipika.  Devotion is practiced through chanting the names of God, promotion of inter-religious understanding and tolerance of all forms of religious beliefs, and creating a mood conducive to a devotional state of mind.  Sounds such as music are spiritually inspiring and uplifting.  Responsive singing helps to achieve an elevated state of spirituality, which leads to meditation.  Meditation is strongly encouraged and instruction is given for each class, as well as attendance weekly in an in-depth meditation forum.

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