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| The
Spanda symbol's swirling arms |
| depict
the three interrelated dimensions |
| of
Spanda The Yoga of Movement: |
| yoga,
movement, and therapy. |
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| Yoga |
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Yoga
is not a religion, although its teachings are integral to
most spiritual paths. It is also not a mere exercise routine.
Yoga is a systematic science of Self-development, with nothing
short of freedom from suffering as its goal! Through regular
consistent yoga practice the body achieves maximum health
at any age, while the mind is purified, and the emotions are
stabilized. These achievements however are only the beginning
of what yoga offers. It is a systematic pathway to awareness
of one's own true Self. |
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Classical
Ashtanga Yoga is the bedrock of all of Spanda®'s practices
and methods. The essence of yoga pervades every aspect of
our approach to individual positive change, even though in
some cases yogic principles are embedded in non-traditional
forms of expression, such as in our "sweet medicine"
classes which offer yoga principles within a western exercise
format. We offer group classes, private sessions, and teacher
training, and teacher continuing education and mentoring in
classical yoga, based on the 8 limbs (ashtanga) of Raja Yoga,
with emphasis on Hatha Yoga (yama, niyama, asana, and pranayama). |
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Along
with static posture practice (asana) and breathing exercises
(pranayama), we employ posture flows (vinyasa krama) which
synchronize breath with movement in both short and long sequences
based on the classical yoga postures (asanas). |
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| Movement |
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At
Spanda® we feel movement is an extremely important aspect
of personal development - especially as natural avenues for
physical exploration are lost through the destruction of our
natural world. We offer movement classes and private sessions
to various populations in numerous formats with specific purposes
in mind. |
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"Sweet
Medicine" uses yogic principles in conjunction with basic
rhythmic movement to invite the joyful experience of life
energy (prana) and free personal expression (spanda). We also
offer yoga-based aerobic conditioning and strength training
classes, such as "Yogaerobics" and "Yoga for
Athletic Conditioning," that emphasize refined awareness
of body use, breath, and mental focus. This work provides
recuperative cross training as participants refine universal
movement techniques applicable to EVERY form of physical endeavor,
from world class athletic competition, to theatrical performance,
to recuperative care. |
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The
Movement Research aspect of Spanda® also offers insight
into physical issues that may inhibit progress in practice
or have become health concerns. Movement patterns are used
to re-pattern inefficient use or enhance coordination. We
also may explore concepts that offer insight into mind-body
areas of disconnection, or focus on personally significant
areas of mind-body inquiry. Remedial Movement patterns give
insight into how the body moves and how an individual has
grown accustomed to moving their own body. It does this by
giving opportunity to tease out and focus on universal principles
that underscore efficient, effective and naturally expressive
movement. For more adept practitioners we work with movement
that arises spontaneously from the body, using it as a source
of information and "soul-connection." |
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| Therapy |
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The
therapeutic aspect of Spanda® uses all the elements above,
from both the yoga and the movement dimensions, in a one-to-one
setting, with the purpose of addressing specific concerns
or impediments to progress in practice. Because of the holistic
scope of yoga science, where body, breath, and mind are viewed
as dimensions of material form (prakriti) surrounding pure
consciousness at the center of all beings (purusha), yoga
movement therapy entails various avenues of interaction between
client and facilitator. Methods might include verbal dialogue,
yoga posture practice, tailor-made posture flows, remedial
movements, movement exploration, movement or sitting meditation,
hands-on work or guided re-patterning, or any number of combinations
of these and other methods to facilitate positive change. |
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| Home
- What is Spanda - Our
Approach - "Every Woman's Yoga."
- Teacher Training - Yoga
Therapy Training - Calendar -
Founder |
| Copyright
©
2002-
, Jaime Stover Schmitt. |
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