The 5 Principles of Anusara Yoga

Many people think of Hatha yoga simply as a method for gaining more flexibility. Anusara Yoga and its 5 Principles of Alignment challenge this notion.

The first principle of Anusara Yoga - Open to Grace - softens the boundaries and resistances of our body allowing the divine joy in all of us to dance. We’re mostly spirit and we forget that. What we’re doing with Anusara yoga is expanding the spirit within the physical body. Although there is effort needed in the practice of yoga, this effort is balanced by deep surrender to something bigger: our highest purpose and intention in life.

After acknowledging our own essential nature as spirit, the second principle of alignment - Muscular Energy - is activated. In downward dog this includes drawing the muscles of the arms up onto the bones and into the focal point of the heart center.

Muscular Energy also includes hugging the muscles of the legs energetically onto the bone and into the midline of the body.

The third principle is the Inward Spiral or Expanding Spiral. The hips, pelvic floor and lower back feel a great opening and blossoming. This gives us an "ahhh" feeling of expansiveness.

Once the Inward Spiral is activated in downward dog, the 4th principle of Outward or Contracting Spiral moves this expanded energy back into the center of the body. Outward Spiral gives us greater awareness of our body’s physical boundaries and natural protections.

Organic Energy - the 5th principle - is akin to flexibility and what most people think of as the purpose of Hatha yoga. It is activated by extending the energy that has been grounded in the midline back out through the fingertips and soles of the feet.

With all of the principles in place, each posture in Anusara yoga lends to building the strength, character and endurance of yoga practitioners, as well as flexibility, health and joy.