The Jivamukti Yoga method is a style of yoga created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984.
What is Jivamukti Yoga?
Jivamukti Yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings. The Jivamukti Method is grounded in the original meaning of the Sanskrit word asana as “seat, connection” – relationship to the Earth. Earth implies all of life. Citing Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, which states that asana should be sthira and sukham, Jivamukti Yoga maintains that one’s relationship to others (asana) should be mutually beneficial and come from a consistent (sthira) place of joy and happiness (sukham). This is a radical idea that, when put into practice, can dismantle our present culture, which is based on the notion that the Earth and all other animals exist for our benefit and to be exploited for our own selfish purposes. So the practice of asana becomes more than mere physical exercise to keep one’s body fit or to increase strength or flexibility; it becomes a way to improve one’s relationship to all others and thus lead to enlightenment – the dissolution of the sense of separateness, the realization of the oneness of being, the discovery of lasting happiness.
5 Tenets of Jivamukti Yoga
This core philosophy is expressed through 5 tenets, which form the foundation of Jivamukti Yoga. Jivamukti teachers embody these tenets, so that they color all of his or her teachings whether in Fundamentals classes, Open classes, other classes, workshops, or even just interactions with others in the Jivamukti community. In classes other than Open classes, the teacher does not necessarily teach the five tenets explicitly or even state them out loud. In an Open class, however, the five tenets have a special role, because it is part of the teacher’s job to give the students an experience of all five tenets in each Open class, though again not necessarily by teaching them explicitly or even stating them out loud, but by allowing them to inform the class plan and teaching style. Each of the five tenets should be clearly identifiable in every Open class, even though the names of the tenets may not actually be spoken. By doing this, students learn not to see asana as separate from spiritual study or chanting or meditation, but rather to integrate all of the elements that make up Jivamukti Yoga into one unified practice. This provides for a well-rounded approach to our goal—enlightenment through compassion for all beings.
Ahimsa
A nonviolent, compassionate lifestyle extending to other animals, the environment and all living beings, emphasizing ethical vegetarianism (veganism) and animal rights
Bhakti
Acknowledgment that God/Self-realization is the goal of all yoga practices; can be expressed through chanting, the setting of a high intention for the practice or other devotional practices.
Dhyana
Meditation: connecting to that eternal unchanging reality within.
Nada
The development of a sound body and mind through deep listening; can be incorporated in a class using recorded music, spoken word, silence or even the teacher’s voice.
Shastra
Study of the ancient yogic teachings, including Sanskrit chanting, drawn from the Focus of the Month to the extent possible.
For more information on the method, visit jivamuktiyoga.com/the-jivamukti-method/
Retreats & Events
2023 Aug-Oct Jivamukti 75h Foundation Course in BYOGA Basel with Schalk Viljoen & Clare Nicholls
- August 17th and 18th,
- 31st August and September 1st,
- September 14th and 15th,
- September 28th and 29th,
- October 12th and 13th.
Schalk's Teaching Schedule:
April
27.04 12:00-14:00 CommonYoga - Wiesbaden
30.04 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
May
01.05 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Special : Schedule > Darmstadt
05.05 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Sunday : Schedule > Darmstadt
07.05 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
08.05 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
19.05 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Sunday : Schedule > Darmstadt
21.05 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
22.05 19:45-20:45 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
25.05 11:00-12:30 BYoga > Basel
28.05 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
29.05 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
June
02.05 11:30-12:30 BYoga > Basel
02.05 13:00-14:00 BYoga @ Indigo > Basel
04.06 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
05.06 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
09.06 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Sunday: Schedule > Darmstadt
04.06 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
05.06 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
09.06 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Sunday : Schedule > Darmstadt
11.06 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
12.06 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
16.06 11:30-12:30 BYoga > Basel
18.06 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
19.06 17:30-18:30 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
23.06 10:00-11:30 CityYoga Sunday : Schedule > Darmstadt
25.06 20:00-21:99 CityYoga Jivamukti : Schedule > Darmstadt
26.06 19:45-20:45 CityYoga Pranayama: Schedule > Darmstadt
July
Schalk not in town
August - October
Jivamukti 75h Foundation Course in BYOGA Basel with Schalk Viljoen & Clare Nicholls
These Studios offer Online Classes
Darmstadt: Cityoga . Pure Ashtanga Yoga
Basel: B.Yoga
Jivamukti Digital : Schalk's classes on Jivamukti Digital - use discount code DBA25SCHALK