Dharma Yoga is a graceful, yet challenging form of yoga that was named by after it’s classical Hatha-Raja yoga Master, Sri Dharma Mittra, born in 1939. This practice is based on almost fifty years of Mittra’s experience of classical yoga, as taught by his Guru, Yogi Gupta – Sri Swami Kailashananda. Even though Sri Dharma has mastered over 908 yoga postures, he believes that there is a much higher goal that lies beyond this beautiful practice – knowing one’s true self.
The very heart of Dharma yoga is located in New York and is called Dharma Yoga Center NYC where Sri Dharma Mittra shares his teachings. Some say Dharma yoga is one of the most elegant and inspiring yoga styles. For what we know so far is that it is a very devotional practice that emphasizes good health, a clear mind, and a kind heart.
It includes many traditional yoga postures from Hatha-Raja yoga as well as breath control techniques and meditation. It is a method that weaves together many teachings in order to bring all students closer to the goal of Self-realization.
There are many reasons why we lovelovelove this heartwarming practice, but let us outline just a few of them for you:
1- Appropriate for students of ALL LEVELS
From beginner to lifelong practitioners. Dharma yoga meets each student where they are and according to their condition. That is because of its sequence based on Vinyasa, where students follow an orderly manner to enjoy the burst of energy in their body and mind.
2- Body, Mind & Heart
At first glance, Dharma yoga may seem like a very physical practice, but once we dive deeper into it, we understand that when we work our bodies, we are actually working our minds. As students move through different series, they are encouraged to go deeper and experience the practice in a meditative and spiritual way.
3- Based on Ahimsa (non-violence)
Dharma yoga is all about accepting the current state of your body and mind. That means that treating your body with love and respect is the first and the ultimate non-violence action you can take. What Sri Dharma Mittra says is that when we start to see ourselves in all things, we can’t do harm to anyone, because what we learn is that everything around you is You.
4- It takes you out of your comfort zone
Because maybe the first yoga asana that you’ll do in the class may be the most advanced one (after the warm-up, of course). You’ll say that seem very odd, but Dharma yoga teacher will say that: This will take your mind off of waiting for the fancy yoga poses and make you focus on your breath. Dharma yoga is known for bringing people down to Earth, by teaching them that every posture is an offering, not just food for your ego.
5- Emphasizes the importance of meditation
It lets you skip the physical practice, but never your meditation practice. This yoga style works on awareness and teaches that yoga asanas are just a tool to keep your attention inwards throughout the whole lesson and focus your mind on the here and now.
Dharma yoga doesn’t use fancy meditation but teaches that focusing on your breath is the simplest and the most effective meditation.
There are many more reasons that make this yoga style such a wonderful practice, available to everyone.
Dharma yoga is for You, if you want to move and be moved by it. It is for you if you are ready to dive deeper and find out what more is there for you, in You.
“Everything is there, you just have to turn it on.”
Sri Dharma Mittra
