"Kripalu" means "grace," or "compassion." Kripalu's three stage approach, guides you to move at your own pace, honouring your body's needs at each moment. Each class includes the practice of breathing techniques (pranayama) and posture flow (asana), aimed at developing a sense of relaxation in the midst of effort. Kripalu yoga develops the body, mind and spirit in a compassionate and non-judgmental way, and seeks to increase the flow of prana (life force) in the body. You leave the class feeling uplifted and centered. The rhythm, depending on the class, varies from slow and gentle to dynamic and vigorous, always with an awareness of self-greeting and self-respect.

At first, it is a wilful practice incorporating awareness of the body and breathing. It begins with experiencing through postures the alignment of the body and coordination of breath. From there, we learn to hold poses for longer periods of time, creating focus and concentration. In this stage we focus our attention on inner sensations, thoughts and emotions, while cultivating compassion and awareness. As these foundations become stronger, the experience of the third stage, meditation in motion, brings absorption to the practice. This is a unique and personal expression of Kripalu yoga; you practice the art of moving in response to your body's wisdom, allowing the postures to flow from one into the next. This experience is often described as a state of prayer expressed in movement.

I believe the practice of yoga facilitates the quest for transformation and inner harmony, as well as awakening ourselves to our fullest potential as human beings. In Kripalu yoga, the journey is just as important as the goal.