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Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !

Jivamukti Yoga is a practice that is becoming more and more popular in France. You have never heard of this yoga? Don’t panic! Yogom traces the history and the principles of this stimulating method which ensures a complete disconnection thanks to its practice in music.

Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !
Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !

Origins and history of Jivamukti Yoga

  • David Life and Sharon Gannon were extremely involved in the art, music and counterculture of the 80s. Together they began practicing yoga and founded Jivamukti in 1984, one of the first hybrid yoga practices to gain momentum in the United States. Although the discipline was born in 1984, it was in 1986, after their trip to India to follow the Sivananda training and their meeting with Swami NirmalanandaThey founded the first Jivamukti Yoga company in the East Village of New York.
  • It is therefore a fairly recent yoga which is mainly inspired by Swami Nirmalananda, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who also taught this style in his school and Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati who is an Indian spiritual master. For this reason, it is considered a hybrid yoga because its conception and reasoning take up and summarize elements taken from the teachings of several different masters.
  • The name Jivamukti means “state of liberation” and was inspired by a Sanskrit word meaning “liberation by living”. This method is then part of nine styles of hatha yoga alongside Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Viniyoga, Integral, Bikram, Sivananda and Kripalu.
  • It was in 2006, when the company moved to Union Square, that the discipline exploded. The studio becomes a flagship by including a café and a store. Hollywood celebrities are even starting to take an interest in it as Gwyneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Uma Thurman, Russell Simmons and Sting are counted among the early adopters. It was also at this time that it was able to develop throughout the world, including in the largest European cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, etc.

    • Principles of Jivamukti Yoga

    The founders of this method being passionate about music, they wanted to create a type of yoga where the 4th art is placed at the center of the practice in order to have a spiritual approach to it.

    The main objectives of Jivamukti are:

    • To be in agreement with oneself
    • To become aware of one’s body through the movements exercised
    • To work on one’s spiritual development

    Jivamukti is therefore a real philosophy of life for the followers and has for principles to be based on the melody but also on the body work and the deep breathing.

    It includes five disciplines that are key to the practice and are worked on in all classes:

    • Shastra (scriptures) with thestudy of the ancient teachings of yoga, including Sanskrit chanting.
    • Bhakti (devotion) since every practitioner considers that God is present in every person or sentient being.
    • Ahimsa (non-violence) because Jivamukti insists on animal rights, vegetarianism and even veganism, environmentalism and social activism in order to practice non-violence. These practices help to develop compassion and humility. This would also be effective in eliminating one’s suffering and attracting good karma.
    • Nada (sound) by developing a healthy body and mind through deep listening while enjoying the sacred sounds of yoga.
    • Dhyana (meditation) by making connections with the eternal reality that does not change.
    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !
    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !

    What does a course look like?

    A Jivamukti Yoga class is composed as follows:

    • It always begins and ends with a song
    • A lesson from the founding writings of yoga is then studied at the beginning of each class
    • The classes are organized according to a monthly theme chosen and announced by the founders and are based as much on posture work as on meditation
    • Approximately 80% of the class is conducted to music

    The couple then sees this method as a path to enlightenment. They have always given great importance to teaching the Indian system of yoga by translating it in the best way so that the western mentality, not used to this point of view, can better understand and assimilate these values. By practicing devotional chanting and studying ancient texts, Jivamukti students are therefore generally more educated about yoga philosophy than others.

    With what material should I practice Jivamukti Yoga?

    The only material required to practice this yoga is a quality mat. Indeed, since it is a rather physical practice with a rather sustained pace, it is important to have good support on his mat and that he is very adherent to the ground. It is also necessary to pay great attention to its dimensions in order not to restrict oneself in the practice of the postures. Nevertheless, meditation is also part of each class, so you need a fairly large mat. thick and comfortable to be in an environment conducive to relaxation.

    Several Yogom mats are suitable for this practice:

    • The carpet of the Star range is ideal for all dynamic yoga practices and adapts very well to gentle yogas. Whether you sweat a little or a lot and no matter what your level, this mat will offer you comfort and excellent stability on the ground. If your main criterion is the side anti-slip of your mat, to finally stop slipping while practicing your asanas, the Star mat is made for you!
    I discover the Star range
    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !
    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !
    • The carpet of the Performance Line is also a very good option for Jivamukti Yoga because it is as comfortable in a gentle practice as it is in an intense one and is the best companion for yogis who practice in the studio because it is foldable. This mat is excellent for practitioners who tend to sweat since its microfiber coating is very adherent to perspirationThis prevents you from slipping. For those who don’t sweat much, but have fallen for its soft finish, don’t panic! Simply dampen your mat before each class to trigger its adhesion. Do not hesitate to moisten it again throughout the session when necessary. It is also ideal for all levels.

    You can also use accessories such as yoga bricks or a yoga strap to help you get good alignments and to stretch more deeply. These accessories are also useful to work on your flexibility in a progressive way during practice.

    I discover the Performance Range

    How to practice Jivamukti Yoga?

  • It is not possible to practice Jivamukti by organizing your own sessions. Indeed, it is a very precise and supervised practice, so it takes a long training to be able to prepare its courses.
  • There are then CDs or a subscription subscription directly on the official website to take classes directly from home. A free 3-day trial offer is then proposed to you. However, this option is less recommended as this yoga is heavily based on community and sharing, so it is best to live the experience completely if possible.
  • However, it is important to choose an accredited teacher or studio by the company of its founders. You can then be sure that they have received a complete and recognized training. There are classes and teachers all over the world. However, the only approved studio in France is located at 92 Quai de Jemmapes in Paris. For non-Parisians, there are a few certified teachers elsewhere in France although this practice is not yet very developed in the country.
    • Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !
    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !

    What are the benefits of Jivamukti Yoga?

    Jivamukti Yoga does not require any athletic experience on the part of its practitioners. It is a complete wellness tool as it helps to relax the body and spirit while learning the history of the discipline.

    The positive effects of its practice are:

    • Theevacuation of tensions and physical blockages through the sequence of postures and breathing work
    • A purification of the soul by chasing away negative thoughts and improving concentration through the thematic aspects of the classes
    • A muscular reinforcement thanks to the different asanas practiced
    • Useful learning for everyday life as practitioners can transfer the wisdom principles seen in their classes into their personal lives

    Jivamukti Yoga, controversial?

  • While devotion is an important concept taught in Jivamukti Yoga, one must beware of its excess. Indeed, the company was plunged into scandal in 2016 following accusations of abuse of power over their apprentice teachers. Former teachers testify that an unwavering devotion is dedicated to the guru, and this from their first day of training, since they are taught to get on all fours as soon as the couple enters the room.
  • The higher ranking teachers also took advantage of their authority over their apprentices. Ms. Faurot, the apprentice teacher who sued the studio for sexual harassment, explains that Ruth Lauer-Manenti trained her students to meet her every desire. This ranged from tidying the room the way she preferred, preparing her water before each of her classes, etc. As Faurot explains, future teachers were devoted to her because she made them feel like their favorite and therefore more spiritually elevated. In addition, other students supported this testimony by explaining that Lauer-Manenti did not hesitate to intrude on their personal lives by asking them for details about their romantic relationships and that she would unashamedly undress in the studio to change. Former and current teachers have stated that the relationship between student and guru is closer to a cult than a school.
  • This is a serious abuse of trust and power that affects apprentices who wish to teach Jivamukti themselves more than occasional students. Nevertheless, this was enough to call into question the true intentions of its creators, with the appearance of this studio. Indeed, although the practice of Jivamukti is very positive for the physical and moral of the students, the life within the studio and the learning conditions are much less appreciable. For example, they do not hesitate to give their opinion on the private life of teachers by disapproving of procreation because the children distrwould of their learning.

    • If you want more information on this trial and on these events, we invite you to read the article published by Slate .

    Jivamukti Yoga : discover this Hatha Yoga !

    Jivamukti Yoga did not convince you? Go to our article “What type of yoga to practice?” to find the discipline that best suits your needs and expectations.

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