Class Descriptions

“yogas chitta vritti nirodha” Yoga is turning the consciousness from commotion of the external world inward towards the self. The asana (posture) practice that is most suitable for you is the one that helps turn the aweareness inward. Like anything through practice, commitment, and time things gets easier but there will always be some days that are more challenging than others physically and mentally. The practice is meeting yourself where you are on any given day and finding what brings you away from the external commotion inwards.

Gokul Yoga Adikrama- Traditional Yoga following Buddhi Yoga lineage as taught through Mahayogi Gokulacandra Das. Each class type has different components of these teaching in the degree of mrdu (mild), madhyam (medium), and adhimatra (extreme). The theory (sambandha) and practice (abhideya) behind these classes focuses on leading towards the goal (prayojana) of yoga, connection with the self and source of the self.

Mrdu Hatha (level 1) will work through mild asanas (poses) and bhedanas (breathing) at a slower pace to focus on redirecting the focus inwards.

Madhya Hatha (level 2) will work through slightly more challenging asanas (poses) at a slower pace incorporating in bhedanas (breathing) and drishti (focused gaze) to help redirect the focus inwards.

Mrdu Madhya Vinyasa (level 3) will use a combination of mild and medium asanas moving at a steady pace paired with bhedanas, dristi, and vikaras (mental instruments) to begin to turn the focus inwards.

Mrdu Madhya Adhimatra Vinyasa (level 4) will use a sequence of these 3 types of asanas accompanied by bhedanas, drishti, and vikaras to turn the focus inwards and move towards this more complete Gokul Yoga Adikrama sequence.

Internal Seated Practice (offered monthly) is an opportunity to deepen the understanding of different bhedanas (breathing) and vikaras (mental instruments) which can be used to build pranayama kriyas as well as incorporated into your asana practice.

Assisted Self Practice (offered monthly) will help give you a better understanding of the basics of this Adikrama sequence to give you the tools to start to build a self practice and give you the space to do your self practice with guidance and feedback.Requires attendance at least once weekly in guided classes.

YS 1.22 Mṛdu-madhyādhimātratvāt tato' pi viśeṣaḥ

Mṛdu— mild; madhyā— middling; ahimātratvat— because of intensity; tatah— from this; api— also; viśeṣaḥ— distinction

Among these there is further differentiation of intensity into degrees of mild, mediocre and extreme.

“One's level of commitment is an important factor when trying to advance in yogabhyasa. These three are subcategories of intensity. Mild is to be still absorbed in prakrti, mediocre is to practice faithfully and extreme brings one near to the goal of yoga.” Gokulacandra