 |
 |
| |
| |
The International
Yoga Centre is an oasis of calm, a breath of fresh air, a haven of
green and a glimpse of light. Located in a charming, old black and
white house with a peaceful, warm presence all its own, IYC has an
atmosphere that is welcoming and nurturing. Classes are conducted based
on yogic principles such as non-injury, compassion and alignment of
thought, word and action.
Hatha yoga emphasizes the practice of asanas and although asana is but one aspect of the practice, it is still very much through asana
that theory can be grounded in experience and is therefore pivotal. At
IYC, we offer thorough preparation for the beginner through to the more
experienced practitioner. The teachings include the theory and
philosophy of yoga, which when integrated with the practice will
increasingly unfold to the practitioner, knowledge of the nature of the
Self. |
| |
|
Embarking on the personal journey
inwards that is as individual as is each of our personalities, is
perhaps as Rumi puts it, the only thing to do.
Yoga facilitates that
journey to freedom, moksa. With heightened awareness and clarity, yoga
helps the practitioner in the discovery of the beauty of the individual
as well as in the understanding of that essential Energy that enlivens of
all.
|
| |
|
"There is one
thing in this world you must never forget to do. If you forget
everything else and not this, there's nothing to worry about, but if
you remember everything else and forget this, then you will have done
nothing in your life.
It's as if a
king has sent you to some country to do a task, and you perform a
hundred other services, but not the one he sent you to do. So
human beings come to this world to do particular work. That work
is the purpose, and each is specific to the person. If you don't
do it, it's as though a priceless Indian sword were used to slice
rotten meat. It's like a knife of the finest tempering nailed
into a wall to hang things on.
You
say, "But look, I'm using the dagger. It's not lying idle."
Do you hear how ludicrous that sounds? For a penny an iron
nail could be bought to serve for that. You say, "But I spend my
energies on lofty enterprises. I study jurisprudence and
philosophy and logic and astronomy and medicine and the rest."
But consider why you do those things. They are branches of
yourself.
Remember the
deep root of your being, the presence of your lord. Give yourself
to the one who already owns your breath and your moments. If you
don't, you'll be wasting valuable keenness and forgetting your dignity
and purpose."
|
-Rumi as translated by Coleman Barks
|
| |
| Through the practice, we learn to
observe. In observation, the correct distance is needed; distance
implies space and in yoga, we learn to cultivate inner spaciousness.
With space arises a certain clarity; we are no longer embroiled in the
turmoil of the situation but through an even breath, through the
steadiness of mind - equanimity, we can remain balanced and centered. |
The approach to the practice of yoga taught at IYC has been found to be
an extremely effective, safe and complete method of working with the
body. The fixed forms of Shadow Yoga provide the student with
invaluable, systematic preparation for further growth and
understanding. The basic principles of yogic movement and correct
alignment based on the Iyengar
tradition will aid the student in understanding precisely the various
body movements, developing concentration and awakening gradually the
natural intelligence of the body.
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears" is a well-known adage.
Experienced teachers, responsive to the needs of students, are on hand
at the International Yoga Centre to help foster sensitivity to the
language of intuition of the body and breath. The teacher is simply an
outer guide, urging the student to reconnect within.
International Yoga Centre, 57 Oxley Road, Singapore.
tel: 6736-1958 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
