Living Life Liberally With Jivamukti Yoga

Jivamukti was founded in the year 1984 by David Life and Sharon Gannon along with the spiritual knowledge of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois. David Life and Sharon Gannon jointly wrote a book on this form of yoga called Jivamukti Yoga: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul and The Art Of Yoga. David was an artist who used to run a café in Manhattan. Sharon was animal rights activists with a background in performing arts. Both of them are trained in yoga. It is very popular among the other contemporary styles of yoga. It resembles the ashtanga style of yoga and is most probably the newest type of Hatha yoga. This yoga style is physical as well as intellectual. It requires a lot of energy. It also emphasizes on applying the philosophy of yoga in day-to-day life.

"Jivamukti" is a Sanskrit word which means "liberation while living." It is extremely physical. It is ideal for those who are physically fit and want to do rigorous exercise. This is also related to vinyasa style of yoga and each training session has a subject. The classes consist of scriptures of yoga, chants, asanas or postures, meditation, breathing exercises and music. It blends the spiritual, emotional, and physical features of yoga effectively.

This style of yoga beautifully combines the ancient tradition of yoga into the contemporary style of living. It always keeps in mind the universal and traditional objective - liberation. The classes consists of five basic elements as Bhakti or devotion to God, Nada Yoga or deep listening, scriptures, ahimsa or nonviolence and compassion and finally meditation or connection with your own self.

Another modern style of yoga is the Anusara Yoga. This school of yoga also emphasizes the spiritual and meditative features of Hatha yoga. It is based on the tantric values of life. Anusara yoga was founded by John Friend in the year 1997.

This style of yoga can be mainly divided into three categories such as action, attitude, and alignment. This form gives stress on the Universal Principles of Alignment. John Friend says that attitude is the force behind every action or expression in an asana. Alignment means how the different parts of our body are connected with each other and action means the energy which gives us both strength and liberty. It is related with the body.

Another contemporary form of yoga known as Laughter Yoga involves a lot of fun-filled exercises. It is useful for all. It makes the immune system strong. It provides relief from stress and keeps you healthy. It does not involve dynamic physical exercises. Everyone can do it. There is no need to have any earlier experience. There is no need for any particular clothing or equipment. Laughter crosses all barriers. It is a common language which lightens our mood and makes us happy.

It does not listen to the restraints imposed by the mind. it goes beyond that. Jivamukti form of yoga presents a practical as well as empirical view of the values of life. It teaches the realistic yet artistic approach to the art of living.