About
Atma Vikasa
Atmavikasa means evolution of the Self. The Atmavikasa
Atmavikasa is not a mere Yogasana instructing school. On the
contrary, it is an integrated center of Physical, Intellectual and
Philosophical yogic Sciences. Hence a range of yogic sciences like Asana,
Pranayama, Meditation, Sanskrit, Yoga sutras, kriyas, Mudras and chanting are
taught here with Sincerity, focus and their natural following - perfection.
We know the clear difference between a Yoga Guru and a Yoga instructor.
Hence, at Atmavikasa, the students are not instructed to follow what we say, but are taught to practice what we follow with full heart and
consciousness.
Our aim is to be pure and to provide, to the sincere
practitioners, a strong inclination towards Yogic life, where even their commonest of actions are based upon
the principles of Love, Divinity and Yoga.
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Atmavikasa
Asana System
Atmavikasa system is an integration of four dimensions:
a. Physical
b. Physiological
c. Intellectual
d. Spiritual
Any course at Atmavikasa, in general and the asana course in
special, essentially comprises of all the above factors. Hence, our Asana
system, which is a composition of ten sequences, which are further divided as
Primary, intermediate and advanced, is characterized by the following features.
a. Alignments: An asana is not a mere physical shape. But it is
actually a set of contradictory, self-balancing forces acting upon various
organs of the body. In order to gain stability and comfort as described in the
yoga sutras of Patanjali [Sthira
Sukhamasanam], one should know the exact location where each organ of the
body should be placed. This concept of arrangement of various parts of the body
according to the consistency-requirements of the asana is executed through
alignments.
b. Dynamics: It is very much essential to know the extent of
energy flow in various organs, in order to establish stability in the asana. Alignments
provide consistency from outside; where as awareness about the channels of prana flow provides internal stability.
c. Constant self awareness: Though teachers are required for
providing a suitable inclination to a student, they should essentially become
their own masters in the course of time. Many systems of yoga provide physical
adjustments either through manual adjustments or through props. Though it may
be useful to a student in the beginning, there is a danger of being addicted to
them. We believe that an asana should bloom naturally like a flower. Just like
a flower dies if made to bloom forcefully, the intelligence suffers and loses
its brilliance due to excessive physical support. Therefore, in Atmavikasa
asana system, we do not provide any manual support. In fact, THE TEACHER DOES
NOT TOUCH THE STUDENT at all. But, we make the student comprehend the asana
through special techniques which are unique to our style. We train the
intelligence of the student to control the body without external aides. This
makes the student his own teacher in the course of time.
d. Spirituality: As the yoga sutras of Patanjali rightly
instructs, practice without detachment makes the mind unstable. Many systems
believe that spirituality being the highest goal of all practices, should be
taught in the very end - when the right time comes. But, our approach is
contrary to the popular myth. We believe that detachment is an integral part of
practice and should be enforced from the very beginning. Hence from day1, we focus
on the factor that every practitioner is much higher than the body and
therefore has the natural capacity to control it. This attitude helps a
practitioner to quickly transcend the limitations of the body and enter the
spiritual zone which leads to Atmavikasa
[Self-realization].
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