Attitude, Alignment and Action, the path to an open heart and open mind
Anusara® yoga is a life-affirming school of Hatha Yoga that is distinguished by its deep sensitivity to the spiritual aspects of a non-dual Tantric philosophy. Anusara uses a loving approach towards the body and its alignment to foster a deep connection to the supreme and universal presence of divine consciousness in all things. Anusara yoga classes are taught with heart-oriented themes that bring this approach to all the poses making them a template for how to live off the mat.
The Non-dual Tantric philosophy behind Anusara holds that “consciousness is everything” and as such the Divine is not separate or outside of ourselves, we are immersed in it whether we see or feel it or not. It plays a cosmic game of hide-and-seek that is the compelling force within our lives that motivates us to find and develop a deep sense of union—yoga—with all that we are and encounter. These are held as aspects of the “one spirit” expressed in innumerable ways as “the many.” At the base of our being is a deep presence of consciousness and bliss: sat-chit-ananda. Our greatest life purpose is to re-discover our highest identity as aspects of Spirit living a human existence, and as such we can deepen our interconnections with all of existence seen as manifestations of the divine.
Our journey of discovery can be augmented by the adoption of Anusara’s “Three A’s”: Attitude, Alignment and Action. Through them we can cultivate an open mind that is inspired to explore the path of deepening our connection to the presence of the divine in all aspects of our life, both on and off the mat. In our practice of yoga poses—asana—we align our body with the attitude of discovery and expression of the intrinsic goodness that is present in our life and our physical expression of the poses. The action of skillful knowledge of our alignment principles makes it possible for the heart to infuse itself in all aspects of our practice and guide the merging of body-mind-spirit.
In brief the Three A’s are a reflection of how the power (Shakti) of Supreme Consciousness (Shiva) flows energetically through us on a physical, mental and spiritual level.
Attitude:
As a quality of heart our attitude reflects divine will—Iccha Shakti—as an aspect of the divine present in all of who we are; it guides us in how we act and align with the presence of its grace. Setting the foundation of each pose with intention and meaning, our attitude is the power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression in a pose: the aspiration to reawaken to our divine nature, and the celebration of life.
Alignment:
As a quality of mind and knowledge—Jñana Shakti—it is the mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected. It is the skillful application of the art and science of yoga that becomes the means to tune the instrument of our being and how our postures reflect attitude.
Action:
As a quality of body awareness—Kriya Shakti—it reflects freedom of action and the natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom. Skillful action is an interplay of pulsations of the play of opposites—Spanda—that govern the contraction and expansion present in every pose. It is the interconnectedness of inner and outer, outer physical expression of inner intention.
For more insight into the Non-Dual Shaivite Tantra philosophy at the heart of Anusara Yoga the reader can find a very clearly presented in-depth study of the subject in Christopher Wallice’s book Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition.
