Jivamukti yoga (literally the “yoga of liberation of the soul”) was developed in New York in 1984 by the couple Sharon Gannon and David Life, initially on the basis of hatha yoga. They come from the art and music scene and integrate various yoga styles into their artistic work. In 1986 they completed a Sivananda yoga teacher training course in India, and in 1990 they were students of Pattabhi Jois.
They are strongly committed to animal welfare and a vegetarian diet, which is an integral part of their yoga message. They themselves are strict vegans and want to contribute to
Because of these personalities, Jivamukti Yoga is “hot, hip & holy” – as David Life himself describes his yoga scene. Unconventional, cool and right at the heart of the zeitgeist, it is no coincidence that they have many “cool” followers.
Here is an impression of both of them in the interview, as well as their teaching style, which will be explained below:
The practice:
The Vinyasa Flow sequence is freely chosen and the movement is combined with the breathing. Loud music is played – quite unconventionally. The music is modern, anything you like; it can also be traditional Indian music.
An exercise class begins with singing OM together. The warm-up consists of sun salutations, which are immediately accompanied by music. Then, in the main part of the class, a sequence of postures that merge into one another and are strongly reminiscent of the Ashtanga yoga movements. First standing postures, followed by forward and backward bends and side twists. The class ends with classic yoga postures, a final relaxation and meditative sitting.
The study of yogic scriptures, recitation of mantras and prayers, chanting and meditation play an important role.
This very sweaty and body-oriented yoga is embedded in a certain philosophical background and is accompanied by social activism. It can be described as a representative of modern lifestyle yoga, in which a kind of attitude to life is propagated.
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Continue to the next yoga style: Kundalini Yoga
