Where: JIvamukti Yoga London in W10
When: h 9 - 10.30, 19 Jan 14
How: Registered as new student 10m before class (1 page
questionnaire), GBP 16 for 90m class but they also have carnet available.
I have been practising with Jivamukti certified teachers
for some time know, but I admit this was my first ‘official’ Jivamukti class.
Fighting the temptation to stay on bed on a rainy Sunday morning, I let Otto
(my vespone) lead me to Jivamukti Yoga London in W10. The studio is in a modern
block, on the first floor, within a typical corporate / office space setting.
However, as you step in, you find yourself in a welcoming and friendly
environment: spacious but not huge, well designed but not over the top. As soon
as I declared my status of a newcomer, the receptionist quickly handed me over
a questionnaire asking just to put name and contact number - I would complete
the form after class. They offer open level classes (90m), spiritual warrior
classes (60m, ‘condensed’ sessions for busy people) and basic classes for
beginners, as well as periodic seminars from resident teachers or guest
teachers within the Jivamukti lineage.
The Sunday morning the 90m open level class is held by
Adrian Squirrel in the main studio. The class was full, about 25 people, but I
easily accommodated some place to lay my mat. All the students were awaiting
into some form of savasana, enjoying the ambient music playing in the
background.
From the beginning, starting in Balasana, the class flew
at a steady pace: the sequence was well thought, accessible to all - still
challenging. After class, I have asked the teacher if there is a recommended
sequence and whether he follows some kind of a script. ‘I like to change it
every time’, Adrian says. While today the class did not cover much in terms of
philosophy, it was indeed very well constructed: from warm up to a strong
vinyasa section, to then slowing down and emphasis on grounding. I would have
loved even a few minutes in pure stillness though. However, during the week,
Adrian offers 15m meditation classes after a 60m asana session.
Overall it was a solid, well run class. There was also a
good level of individual attention, especially given this was a busy class: and
I loved yogi perks such as china gel on lower back and shoulders at the start
of the class, a couple of hands on adjustments and a great massage in savasana.
I infer Adrian must have remarkable taste in music, based on the selection he
played - although in my practice I would tend to opt for predominantly
instrumental music. I am notoriously a music geek and I found myself focussing
on the lyrics rather than on my breath at least a couple of times. Still, is
that really more vritti (bad, bad…) or does that lead you into some form of
absorption into a point, anyway?
At the end of the class, I tried to introduce myself to
Adrian and have a quick chat - as I actually had a question on a specific pose.
He was friendly but given the queue of students willing to talk to him we had
to quickly wrap up. Besides, I noticed many students were chatting to each
other, leading me to think that this is more than an established studio - it is
a small yoga community.
This is good news: while a big brand and a successful
commercial operation, Jivamukti Yoga London to date seems to maintain its
authenticity and its strong connection to the yoga tradition, filtered through
the lenses of Sharon Gannon and David Life. I will go back to check out whether
my first impression is right and hope not to be disappointed.
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