Vijnana Yoga

Vijnana Yoga is a practice of mind and body that combines simplicity and precision in posture and breath. It cultivates inward focus and understanding, in order to skillfully unfold from within - both in the postures and in the world. 

VijnanaYoga is rooted in the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya, the great and respected teacher of Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar and T.K.V. Desikachar.

The yogic concept of Vijnana – understanding from inside – expresses the spirit of this practice and its guiding principles. According to the great Vedanta philosopher Sankara, vijnana is a deep understanding or knowing that cannot come about merely through outer knowledge that we receive through a teacher, or a spiritual textual tradition. Rather it is an inner clarity that is revealed through personal experience.

“The awareness and conviction that fire exists in wood is jnana (knowledge). But to cook rice on that fire, eat the rice and get nourishment from it is vijnana.”

— Sri Ramakrishna

Vijnana yoga is based on 4 principles: meditation (silent sitting), pranayama (breathing exercises), asana(postures) and study of the written tradition of yoga.

The yoga practice coming from such inner knowledge and clarity allied to the guiding principles – relaxing the body, quieting the mind, focusing through intent, rooting, connecting, awareness of breathing and expanding – allows us to go deeper inside and from that place, we see, feel, understand and act skillfully.

The Vital Principles

All the principles coexist and need to be applied at all times, yet it is difficult to oversee their functions simultaneously. In order to deepen our understanding of the principles, we need to choose one that attracts us and works with it constantly until it is mastered. Many times we can work with one principle for a few years until they become our second nature. But it is only when all the principles coexist together that the practice is whole. Therefore when we practice and feel ‘stuck’ we need to look carefully and find which principle is neglected and revive it.

The principles are an outcome of many years of practice. When this practice was done (and still is) daily, carefully, with full awareness, with a lot of repetition and attention, these are the conclusions that Dona Holleman and Orit Sen-Gupta came to and described in their book “Dancing the Body of light”.

“In our Vijnana yoga way of practicing, I am no longer breathing, I am “being breathed” by a larger breath of life. Without boundaries, I am not moving. Rather I am being moved in ways that are incredibly delicious, refreshing, supportive and non-personal.” 

— Teresa Caldas

How we teach Vijnana Yoga

Yoga has to be transmitted in a very personal, almost intimate way. The knowledge, the feeling, the understanding is transmitted directly from body to body. Our bodies understand just by looking, by carefully observing.

The yoga postures are practiced and explained for students of all levels.

The study of anatomy and the anatomy of movement are important and very much taken into consideration. But eventualy one understands that it is not the physical power that allows us to practice some of the complicated postures, but something that comes from the inside when the body and the mind are calm and relaxed, and when we are in harmony with ourselves and the outer world.

The students needing more attention with information or support are able to get what they need and work in their own time.

The postures (asanas) are shown along the lessons with some interruptions for personal correction or explanation. Those wishing to attempt the more difficult postures are stimulated to do so. With time, practice, dedication and awareness the students may embrace a full yoga practice with body, mind and soul.

Ready to practice?

Join us at the studio in Silves.