At Indea Yoga we believe in an educative approach to ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga; where students understand the technical aspects and philosophy of yoga to help guide them better. We believe that through step-by-step, thorough teachings of ashtanga yoga, we can help individuals gain the in-depth knowledge that can help them improve their physical and mental health.
Yogacharya Bharath Shetty has designed multiple series and sequences for his students, based on traditional texts, his learning from his gurus, and in large part his own extensive personal study and experience of over two decades.
Indea Yoga provides sequences for beginners, intermediate as well as advanced practitioners and helps them inculcate mind, body, and breathing coordination to help gain mental peace and physical well being through ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, our experienced and competent teachers conduct classes for all levels.
Over the last decade, yoga has risen in prominence due to its health benefits and seen a vast addition to its rank of practitioners. With an aim to ensure that individuals receive the proper knowledge and training to practice different types of yoga asanas including ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga, Bharath Shetty – Indea Yoga was formed.
Although yoga is beneficial for physical and mental well being, it can also be used to help people struggling with health issues or injuries, to help improve the mobility of senior citizens, and much more.
The asanas taught by our teachers start from the basic postures and move on to advanced levels depending on the level of the students. We aim to help individuals improve their physical awareness and improve their flexibility. Our breathing techniques are focussed on helping our students find harmony between their mind and body.
The Beginner Series prepares the practitioner for the IndeaYoga Preparatory Series.
IndeaYoga Preparatory Series is developed by Yogacharya. to open up the body and train practitioners to advance comfortably towards the Foundation Sequence (for Hatha practice) and Primary Series (for Ashtanga Vinyasa).
The Preparatory Series improves the overall flexibility of the hip, shoulder and the spine, develops all-round freedom of movement and relaxes the breath.
Once the student is comfortable with the Preparatory Series, he or she progresses into the next level of asana practice.
The IndeaYoga Hatha Yoga Foundation Sequence is a slow, mindful and a stable practice that improves strength, balance and overall flexibility through ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga.
The series includes the famous and ancient Vinyasa practiced by several schools of yoga, the classical Surya Namaskara, or the “Sun Salutations”.
A dynamic, intense, free-flowing set of asanas that instills strength and balance.
The term Vinyasa means to arrange in a special way. The Asanas in this series are arranged in an appropriate sequence and the practitioner transitions through each posture with synchronised breathing.
The Indea Yoga Methodology
The Mysore style of yoga asana practice is a particular way of teaching yoga, which originated here in the southern Indian city of Mysore. The following characteristics are unique to Mysore Style practice:
- The class is not “led”as a group, rather instruction is given on a one-to-one basis;each student has an individualized programme.
- Students practice their own sequence of asanas at their own pace.
- The teacher assists each student individually by giving physical adjustments and verbal instruction.
At IndeaYoga, students learn the fixed order of asanas of ashtanga yoga or hatha yoga using a specific movement-breathing technique called Ujjayi breath. Each student is given a yoga routine according to one’s ability. Newer and beginner students tend to have fewer asanas, and we encourage them to repeat each asana a number of times in a practice until we believe the student is strong and comfortable in that asana and ready to move to the next one.
As one gains more strength, stamina, flexibility and concentration, additional asanas are given to the student. In general, the next asana in the sequence should be added/taught/learned only after obtaining stability in one’s last asana. The sense of the word “given” in this context comes from how the practice is taught in India, where a yoga practice is something that a teacher gives to a student as a spiritual practice (abhyasa). In the West, people are accustomed to learning a lot of asanas all at once –such as in a typical modern “led” yoga class. Asanas are given, one by one in a sequential order.
Our teachers are trained in ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga practices and capable of keeping track of what every student is doing with a quick glance. However, if students attempt something out of sequence, the teacher is less able to help in the appropriate way. If a student has difficulty with a particular asana, the teacher can offer a modification that is consistent with the intention of the practice. We believe every student is an important asset to us and strive to ensure that they get the best possible guidance to help them improve.
The Teacher Training Courses at IndeaYoga are for serious practitioners who intend to teach yoga or for those who simply are seeking to deepen their knowledge. The courses engage the students 6-8 hours per day and require complete dedication on their part. The intensity of the course significantly alters how one perceives yoga. It encompasses asana practice, teaching methodologies, technique classes, teaching practice, philosophy, anatomy, meditation and pranayama, and chanting sessions. The courses are offered in two variants: Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga.
Hatha Yoga
It is the practice of a set of physical exercises (known as Asanas or postures), and sequences of Asanas. Hatha Yoga helps understand the mechanics of the body and drive one’s energy in specific directions. Designed to open the many channels of the body, it eases the process of human growth. Hatha practices are known to align and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation. Most forms of yoga asana practices including Iyengar style, Ashtanga Vinyasa, power yoga, Sivananda Yoga, etc. are enclosed under the umbrella of Hatha Yoga.
At IndeaYoga, Yogacharya has dedicated years of personal research and study to develop different sequences of Hatha practices. These sequences improve the alignment of the body, enhance balance and strength, and develop harmony within your system. IndeaYoga Hatha practices and sequences not only focus on the physical body but also build balance in the pranic system.
Ashtanga Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a series of yoga poses that are interconnected in an intelligent manner and that bring maximum benefits to the practitioner. It increases flexibility in the body and renders the muscles supple. Vinyasa adds rhythm to our practice that reflects on our breathing pattern in a positive way. It is a dynamic manifestation of yoga that is vigorous on the body and yet can have soothing effects on the mind. Vinyasa is known to lift the mood of the practitioner and hence is excellent for depression and other mental conditions.
Yogacharya Bharath Shetty has diligently prepared the Vinyasa series and sequences at IndeaYoga. Being associated with yoga for decades, his profound knowledge becomes evident in all of his teachings and dealings with the students.