Like the branches of a tree, Namah Shivaya Yoga’s teachers never stray too far from their roots. It just so happens that their roots lay half a world away, in the traditional Indian yoga practices outlined in the ancient Hatha Yoga Pradipika text. As prescribed therein, they teach a diverse blend of styles that focus on energizing and strengthening the body and soothing the mind. They help exercisers break a healthy sweat with hatha and vinyasa yoga techniques, and occasionally incorporate props, such as straps and blocks, to help with poses. The instructors also practice Yin and restorative yoga, which mix breathing exercises with meditation to cleanse the mind of toxic thoughts.
For those who wish to make a livelihood of practicing yoga, the studio offers 200- and 500-hour teaching certificate programs. The courses range from a four-week intensive to a three-year ongoing program. Each curriculum is registered with and approved by the Yoga Alliance, a council of practitioners who uphold the discipline’s integrity and occasionally combine their powers to summon Captain Yoga.
