Yoga in the West has developed into different forms, ranging from deeply meditative and restorative practices to highly physical and athletic styles. With so many approaches available, people often ask what type of yoga I teach. My yoga practice has always been aligned with the teachings of TKV Desikachar and his father and teacher Śrī T Krishnamacharya; a tradition that emphasises breath-led movement, mindful awareness and stillness, rather than achievement or performance. This approach encourages a deeper connection to myself through the integration of movement, breathing and reflection.
Around 1980, Desikachar introduced the term Viniyoga to describe the principles that underpinned his teacher’s approach to Yoga. Rooted in the idea of adapting practice to the individual, Viniyoga emphasizes starting from a person’s unique circumstances rather than applying fixed methods.
In response to requests from Western students, Desikachar used the term to collectively express the personalized application of Yoga he had learned during twenty-seven years of study with Krishnamacharya, making Yoga accessible and meaningful for practitioners of all backgrounds and abilities (taken from yogastudies.org)
A yoga practice may include posture work, conscious breathing, meditation, chanting and self-reflection. These practices are carefully chosen and adapted to cultivate stability, flexibility, strength and clarity in both body and mind. Through this process, we often experience a shift from a state of constant activity and doing towards a deeper sense of presence and being. This can be a process of un-doing and un-learning. In this quieter space, creativity, wisdom and inner awareness can emerge naturally, while tension and unnecessary effort begin to dissolve.
Yoga does not need equipment or the perfect space, it can be practised anywhere and in different ways. Some people thrive within the structure of a regular class, while others prefer an individual practice. Whatever the setting, the aim remains the same: to use the tools of yoga intelligently, to support the individual and nurture greater balance, awareness and wellbeing.
I will always be a student of yoga. Each experience, interaction and stage of life brings new lessons and opportunities for development. Yoga is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and transformation, the path is endless – that is the essence of practice.
Additional Yoga Information
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