Yoga is an immensely rich and highly complex spiritual tradition, with a history that is thought to span over 5 thousand years. Though it may seem to be shrouded in mysterious and complicated practices, yoga is in fact a very practical tool which we can all benefit from in everyday life.
The name "Soulistic Yoga" came from my desire to reflect the nature of the yoga that I teach, which is a very holistic approach to wellbeing that encompasses all our layers of consciousness, for we are not just physical beings.
The actual system of yoga taught in my sessions is "Satyamvidya Integral Yoga", which is a holistic and therapeutic yoga, based on the 5 layers off consciousness called the Pancha Koshas; the body, breath, mind, soul and spirit.
The name "Satyamvidya" in Sanskrit breaks down into 3 separate words: Sat=Truth, Yam=Love and Vidya=Knowledge.
Lisehanne Webster has been developing Satyamvidya Yoga over the last 40 years. It is an adaptation of Purna Yoga (the total Yoga), which is an Integral Yoga that embraces the many paths of Yoga, such as an understanding and amalgamation of Bhakti, Karma, Raja, Hatha, Svara, Tantra and Jnana Yogas. The postures themselves are based on Hatha Yoga postures, with slight adjustments to ensure they are "back friendly", as our Western spines are not always strong enough to launch into some of the more demanding postures.
Satyamvidya Integral Yoga is a gentle and very nurturing form of yoga, where students are taught to respect their bodies and not to push and pull themselves excessively, as the body will grow more supple and flexible over time. It is a lesson in patience, as we live in a world where instant results are often demanded of us, so we in turn come to demand too much of ourselves. In Satyamvidya, we use the breath to move into and within a posture, always listening to our body and feeling our breath. We look not so much for advanced techniques, but more towards advancing in the techniques. All techniques are practiced slowly to encourage full attention and awareness. We synchronise the breathing when ever possible, and let the breath "do the work".
Yoga gives us the space to reconnect to who we really are and what we really want, because during our practice, we learn to listen to our inner voice once again and connect in to our highest truth. It helps us to build a new way of life and a new way of being, over time. The wonderful thing about Yoga is that when you become confident and competent with certain gentle postures, breathing and relaxation techniques, you can practice yourself at home, thereby becoming empowered to make a real difference to your own health and wellbeing.
Satyamvidya helps us to develop sympathy and consideration, patience, tolerance and compassion for ourselves and others, as well as acceptance and understanding of where we are at, in order to progress. You are encouraged to let go of expectations and always enjoy your practice with non attachment.
Satyamvidya Integral Yoga http://www.satyamvidya-yoga.org.uk is recognised by and networks with the Vivekananda Integral Yoga Research Foundation in
NB: If you have an ongoing medical condition, please seek the approval of your GP before joining a yoga class .