Anusara (a-nu-sar-a), means “flowing with Grace,” “going with the flow,” “following your heart ” or "intuitive nature"
Founded by John Friend in 1997, Anusara Yoga is a powerful hatha yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment™, Anusara is heart oriented, inspiring and yet grounded in alignment principles for for both inner and outer body. It is a unique, therapeutic style of Hatha Yoga in which the artistic expression of the human heart blends magically with the scientific principles of bodily biomechanics. When we have an understanding of the outer shape for each posture, it becomes individual to our body and we feel the beauty of it from within, thus connecting to a deep source of contentment and state of 'being'. As we align and open to 'grace' we are able to unveil our supreme true nature on and off the mat. Anusara takes its name from a verse in the great text, the Kularnava Tantra. It reads in Sanskrit, "Shakti-nipata-anusarena sishyo'anugraham-arhati". This means, by stepping into the current of Divine Grace's descent into the heart, the true seeker becomes worthy, enveloped in the Grace that sustains and nurtures his or her every action.
The Anusara Yoga teacher certification process is stringent and takes many years of training. There are a catagory of teachers that are given legal license to promote themselves as Anusara-Inspired Teacher™ by committing to regular study and practice of Anusara Yoga® and by aligning with Anusara Yoga ethical guidelines. Anusara-Inspired Teacher™ yoga teachers have studied Anusara Yoga for at least two years; have at least two years of teaching experience and at least 200 hours of training with a certified teacher. Due to the intensity of training required by Anusara to become Anusara-Inspired, you may expect a quality yoga class inspired by Anusara principles and ethics.™
The Anusara Invocation
Om Namah Shivaya Gurave,
Saccidananda Murtaye
Nischprapanchaya Shantaya,
Niralambaya Tejase
Translation -
I bow to the goodness within myself,
known as Lord Shiva, who is the true teacher.
This essence inside takes the form of truth, consciousness, and bliss.
Always present and full of peace, this essence inside is completely free, and sparkles with a divine luster.