Kripalu Yoga
If the reason you are seeking to practice yoga is to gently exercise the body while gaining acceptance and appreciation of the physical body you have as a part of your greater spirit, Kripalu yoga is a great style to practice. Many of the different styles of yoga we will be discussing are named for their founders, and Kripalu is no exception - it was founded by Swami Shri Kripalvanandji. He incorporated a true mind-body-spirit philosophy into his practice. The emphasis in Kripalu yoga is on Pranayama, or proper breathing technique, as you move through the series of asanas. The emphasis is also on acceptance and compassion, of treating your body like your best friend, and not becoming frustrated when you can not acheive the postures right away, but by accepting yourself as you are in the moment and at that moment. There is absolutely no competition with anyone - not even yourself. The goal is to accept yourself as you are at that moment in time, and what you can do at that moment in time, and through acceptance build acheivement.
In Kripalu yoga, the both meditation and motion combine together throughout the class. One is not distinct from the other, and it truly is a union of the mind and body. The physical motions and breathing techniques combine to increase ones prana or life force. An important part of building this life force is letting go of the denigrating negative forces upon it - things such as self-criticism and low self esteem. Postures are practiced gently, not forcefully. While the emphasis is on self acceptance, there is also a drive toward perfecting the self as one is able. Careful attention should be paid to the alignment of the body in different postures, and awareness of how the self feels in each of the different positions. In this way, the postures become not guided by outside demands, but from within, as the practitioner incorporates each of the poses into his inner self, inner being.
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