Jivamukti

I had heard alot about Jivamukti being this hard core style of yoga and was really interested in giving it a go. After doing a little bit of research online I started to understand that Jivamukti is looked at more so in a spiritual way and it is about as close to a religious practice of yoga as you can get. I went to the Jivamukti yoga center in Union Square which is really big and nice, including showers and a cafe that specializes in vegeterian cuisine, since the Jivamukti practice promotes a vegetarian diet. I went to this class a little intimidated but excited at the same time. I was given a chant book to follow along with so I could participate in the chanting. It was very interesting because my class was given the gift of a guitar player who played music during the opening and closing meditation. This is also vinyasa style of yoga but poses are held for longer periods of time. The one challenge that I haven't quiet gotten over was holding shoulder stand while this five minute story was played on a record. The whole time I couldn't help but notice that my legs were falling asleep and was trying really hard to concentrate on the message of the story, which talked about some guy stepping on a bird. I think the overall message had to do with respecting animals and promoting vegetarian diet. After the story we did more meditative reflection while the guitar player rejoined us and chanted with us. I was also shocked that children were allowed in the class which was a little distracting since they kept going in and out, however at the same time it was nice to see children and their parents practicing yoga together. Although jivamukti has been looked at as cultish I didn't get that vibe except for the animal story. Overall i felt like I held my own but I could have totally done without the guitar