Anusara is a Sanskrit word that means "flowing with grace," "following your heart." Anusara yoga is a particular school of yoga, and it lives up to its name with a set of teachings that are heart-centered, all-inclusive and flexible.
Beginnings
John Friend, the founder of Anusara yoga, began his exploration of yoga as a child when his mother read him stories of yogis. As a young adult, he studied a variety of yoga techniques and Eastern philosophies. In 1989, he turned to Iyengar yoga. He traveled to India to study with B.K.S. Iyengar and became a teacher. While delving deeply into Iyengar yoga, Friend continued exploring different spiritual and mystical paths. In his growth as a yoga teacher, he began to incorporate all that he had learned into his teaching of Iyengar yoga. After his own method became refined, he started Anusara yoga in 1997.
The School
Anusara yoga brings the universal principles of alignment together with Tantric yoga's philosophy of intrinsic goodness. It is a school of Hatha yoga. Hatha comprises the physical aspects of yoga---physical postures, deep relaxation and breathing practices.
Philosophy
In keeping with its name, there is no rigid dogma in Anusara yoga. The whole philosophy is one of acceptance and flow---physical, mental, spiritual. All people, no matter their physical condition or level of experience, are considered equally divine. The Anusara website states that all of the poses are heart-oriented and are expressed from the inside to the outside. The practices come from a deep devotional and creative inner feeling. Practitioners try to stay aware of their highest intention, which includes reconnecting with their own innate goodness and the same goodness in others.
The Class
The Anusara yoga technique aims to serve students at all levels of ability and experience. Classes are designed for children, for seniors, for those with special needs and for advanced yogis. Each class begins with a centering invocation and has its own heart-centered theme. There are more than 250 Anusara yoga poses, but they're not all incorporated into every class. Instead, teachers lead their students through a selection of standing poses, backward bending poses, forward bends, twisting, balancing, inversions and restorative poses. The poses are varied from one class to another. Breathing is coordinated with each movement. Yoga props are used as needed. The Anusara class ends with relaxation and meditation.
Universal Principles of Alignment
Anusara yoga follows the universal principles of alignment, which include the "three A's" of attitude, alignment and action. Every pose should be filled with meaningful intention, consciousness of postural alignment and action that is balanced between freedom and stability.
Anusara Teachers
Teachers of Anusara cultivate their own ability to look for the good in everything. They aim to help reveal the divine qualities of each individual student. They have a commitment to enhance the self-esteem of their students and help them become aware of their own highest nature.
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