Sarvanga Yoga
paulkelly1008@yahoo.com
505-901-3296
Private lessons can be useful if you're just starting or if you have special health issues that you're concerned about. Yoga can be made accessible for everyone however it is good to know some basics about alignment so that if you do modify poses, you do so without causing problems or establishing bad habits.
Private class rates:
1 Class $50
3 Classes $120
6 Classes $180
If you have a group of people that would like to practice together and you have a suitable space, I can come to you.
Group Class Rates:
$60/class
Contact me to set up group or private lessons or just to ask questions at:
paulkelly1008@yahoo.com
In classes we focus on the five fundamental yogic techniques. These are foundation, flow, bandha, breath and awareness. Despite the apparent simplicity of these five, they are often misapplied and misunderstood. It is ironic that what is supposed to be a method of dropping the ego so commonly becomes a way to reinforce the ego. Developing a grasping desire for strength, flexibility or advanced postures buttresses the ego. Being present in the moment with honesty requires subtlety. We must begin with sensitivity. Only with sensitivity can we have a realistic assessment of the state of our body. In other words, all action and perception, if it is going to be honest, must rest on sensitivity. A great deal of yoga is practiced without sensitivity. Having said this, the principles we work on in classes are not complicated. They are simple but deep and far reaching. They can be learned relatively quickly. Once learned the practitioner will be able to approach any style much more safely and honestly.
Styles of yoga have become fashionable and numerous. But if we consider the meaning of the word Yoga, we can see that styles suggest duality while Yoga means union. Styles of yoga can be looked at as pieces of yoga with particular techniqes or approaches emphasized by a group of adherents. Sometimes followers of a particular style begin to think that their's is the only way, or the best, or the closest to the truth. This is nonsense. Consider different styles as ways to enhance different parts of your own practice. Realize that there are many paths to the goal of yoga, namely realization of unity. No one style has the corner on achieving that goal. When I teach, I am trying to cultivate five basic principles. These are alignment, flow, bandha, breath and awareness. These principles can be used in conjunction with any style. I strive for an environment of letting go in my classes. Yoga, if it is really yoga, will not be an act of aggression. I'm not here to force you into something. I'm simply here to facilitate your taking your body to where it can go with comfort and stability. This will be challenging, but it shouldn't be painful and it shouldn't cause injury. Yoga can be very spiritual, intellectual and physical but it can also be earthy, fun and emotional. If you must name my style, it is Sarvanga Yoga which means yoga throughout the limbs. This refers to the limbs of the body and Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga. When the bandhas are expressed throughout the four limbs of the body and the "limb" of the torso, a very special quality that is always present is more easily recognized. Unity is experienced. Sarvanga also points to the fact that the eight limbs of Pantanjali's Ashtanga Yoga are interconnected and interrelated rather than being sequential steps.
Paul's path to yoga. Paul Kelly began to delve into spiritual/physical practices with studies in Polarity Therapy in 2001. With a few hours of the course devoted to yoga, the fire was lit. He quickly began practicing and teaching basic classes. His studies found inspiration from Iyengar, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vini styles. Yoga master, Godfrey Devereux has been his primary influence. Paul has completed Godfrey's 500 hour teacher certification and has been teaching for 9 years. He has taught over 5000 classes with students from seniors with injuries to 20 something athletes. This time spent with students on the mat is Paul's most valuable asset. He has seen a myriad of body types and helped each individual settle into yoga.
Knowledge about yoga is best gained by experience. Rather than simply watching a class, you have to get on the mat. Paul is most interested in having students experience unity. While this goal alone makes yoga worth the time and effort, it just so happens that in practicing these techniques we also greatly enhance our physical and mental health. Come to a class. Regardless of your level of ability or favored yoga "style", Paul will show you techniques that will enhance your yoga experience. If you're a beginner, so much the better. You're much less likely to have developed bad habits in yoga practice.