When I walked into the Balanced and Whole Wellness Center, LLC, I already knew that this would be the perfect place for a Svaroopa Yoga Class. I’ve often thought about how many modalities of the healing arts are inter-related & complementary, but that yoga isn’t always included in many of the wellness centers that I’ve seen in Portland.
Svaroopa Yoga in particular is a wonderful complement to just about any healing modality, because we are not a form of yoga that comes from the exercise paradigm. In other words, Svaroopa yoga is gentler, more supported, more effective at nourishing the body with simple poses that release tension in the body (and more). One of the main goals as a teacher of this style of yoga is to give the student tools to incorporate a home practice. So from that perspective, you can see that between practitioner appointments – whether allopathic in nature or otherwise – the client/student can learn ‘self-care’ and greatly enhance their healing capacity.
Svaroopa means “the bliss of your own being” in Sanskrit. Many people actually refer to the practice itself as “Bliss Yoga” – and, one could also describe it as “Yoga for your back” as well. The class sizes are generally small, which makes it easier for us to watch alignments & take care of students to make sure they are getting benefit. In this practice we have a unique approach; the poses are tailored to reach into specific parts of the spinal muscles. In every class we do a ‘sequence’ up the spine starting at the base of the spine @ the tailbone. Then we work our way up the spine in order - we do a tailbone pose, a sacrum pose, a pose for the waist and then for the rib cage. There are many other poses we will be exploring too, but this ‘sequencing’ the spine is the core focus of each class.
YOGA THERAPY AND PRIVATE INSTRUCTION - Not only will there be ongoing yoga classes for all levels, there will also be Yoga Therapy & Private instruction. In a Yoga Therapy session we use supported poses, no standing or anything strenuous, to create powerful changes in your body/mind. Private instruction is worth considering if you are totally new to yoga and/or if you can’t make it to a regular class. Yoga Therapy can also help if you have physical challenges that restrict you from doing regular classes.
THE INSTRUCTORS:
Belle Mann RYT, Phd
Belle Mann has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1972 and has been teaching since 1997. She is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance at the 500 hour level, and also certified as a Svaroopa Yoga Therapist, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, and meditation teacher. Belle practiced clinical psychology for 25 years, with a special emphasis on mind/body integration, before devoting herself fulltime to teaching yoga and meditation. She also teaches in her studio on the west side, Yoga Spirit. (503) 227-8635
Janis M Desmond RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher)
My first experience of yoga was at the age of 14. Started Yoga Teacher training in 1999 in San Diego with Rama Berch. Moved to Portland in 2000 & have been teaching yoga & doing Yoga Therapy in Portland for more than 6 years. Certified with Yoga Alliance @ 500 hours. Yoga Therapy & Private Instruction. (503) 282-9633. www.jayayoga.net
