Svaroopa^® Yoga

Svaroopa^® yoga was developed by Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati, formerly Rama Berch, the founder of Master Yoga Foundation. She was also the founding President of the Yoga Alliance, the national organization that provides support, standards and recognition for yoga professionals.

It is based on four primary principles. The first is that “it all begins at the tailbone.” Svaroopa^® yoga specializes in systematically releasing muscular tension in the whole length of your spine, starting with the tailbone and working upwards through the rib cage. This creates a lasting ripple effect of greater ease through your whole body

The second principle is that “support equals release.” We use blankets, blocks, chairs and other props to support your body where it is tightest. This helps you find alignment in the poses without force or strain, releasing muscular tension – a different effect from stretching muscles. Releasing deep tension lengthens muscles, providing them more oxygen and nutrients, helping them to become stronger AND more flexible.

When muscular tension is released, the third principle becomes possible – living more fully in the support of your bones. Bones are for support; muscles are for movement. When you learn how to lean weight into your bones instead of tightening spinal muscles for support, you have more energy and are more centered.

The fourth principle is Svaroopa^® yoga’s view that the body is a form of consciousness. Your true nature is bliss, and through yoga’s practices you can experience this.