Shadow Yoga
Yoga of the Shadow Man
The name Shadow Yoga is derived from the 6th chapter of the ancient tantrika treatise ‘The Shiva-Svarodaya’ (the birth of the breath of life revealed by the god Shiva). This chapter, entitled ‘Yoga of the Shadow Man’, deals with the intricate manifestations of the shadow and their significance both inside and outside the human organism.
The teaching of the Shadow School is based upon the ancient Hatha Yogic texts, which state that all fixed forms should be designed to develop the practice of freestyle. Freestyle is a necessary step in the cultivation of longevity and enlightenment. The Ashtanga Hrdaya of Vagbhata, a primary ayurvedic text, also contains a chapter on the shadow which deals with diagnostic principles. There is also a story about Allama Prabhudeva, (one of the famous forefathers of Hatha Yoga), in which he describes the human body as nothing but layers of frozen shadows. According to Hatha Yogic anatomy the body is composed of three discrete bodies and five sheaths (coverings or shadows). The practice of Hatha Yoga has evolved with the purpose of dissolving these shadows.
The texts also suggest that the set forms should contain within them the following bodily positions and movements for the proper development of the vital breath. Standing, Pumping, Sitting, Weighing, Lying (face-down, face-up, on sides), Forwards, Sideways (lateral), Backwards, Inversion, Spiral, Turning, Twisting. These twelve kinds of positions and movements have been adapted from the range of human activities including martial arts, dance and crafts of life, and from the plant and animal kingdoms. The appropriate combination of these activities with suitable rhythm and positioning brings about the unfolding of the inner powers hidden in the individual.
Nṛtta Sādhanā
Rhythmic Movement through the application of Karanas
The Nrtta is that Sadhana (the way of accomplishments) through which the sadhaka (aspirant) rediscovers the rhythmic life currents hidden in the body’s folds and limbs by means of unimposed natural positioning and that is termed as karana (cause). The three forms of Nrtta are: Ashta Matrikas (the eight mother palms or eight palms), Lasya (Kali’s creative dance or Long form) and Ananda (Samhara) Tandava (Shiva’s dance of dissolvement).
It is important to understand the difference between Natya – Nrttya and Nrtta. The first two terms refer to theatrical performance while Nrtta is defined in the Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikesvara as ‘that dance devoid of any type of emotional mood’. This corresponds exactly to the explanation of Abhava yoga given by Mahesvara (Lord Siva) in the eleventh chapter of the Kurma Purana. This states that Abhava Yoga is that yoga in which one contemplates oneself as void and without any shadow (manifestation) of anything, which therefore enables one to visualize the Self. Here, Abhava refers to a state free from any emotional support, also exemplified in Nrtta as defined by Nandikesvara.
The eleventh chapter of the Kurma Purana includes a detailed explanation of Pashupata Yoga. Nrtta formed a large part of the corrective Sadhana of the Pashupata yogins. This is clearly indicated in the eighth sutra of the first chapter of the Pashupata Sutras. Out of the one hundred and eight karanas mentioned in the Natya Shastra, not more than thirty-six karanas are used for the purpose of self cultivation.
Most of the asanas used in contemporary Hatha Yoga schools are adaptations of the standing and squatting karanas. The important difference is that in the original practice the placement of the legs was achieved through the cultivation of the inherent energy of the legs whereas nowadays the legs are manipulated with the hands to achieve the same external shapes. Five of the karanas are responsible for restoring the body’s natural energetic responsiveness required for this authentic practice.
Courses Offered
Asana-angaharas (asana arrangements)
The word asana (body posture) is derived from the sanskrit root asa-bhuvi meaning to be, to stay, to exist. This suggests that the application of asana is not about ‘becoming’ something but discovering what is already present, not about ‘gaining enlightenment’, but redeeming the sahajawasta (natural state) which is the abode of the human soul. Of the many asanas some are dynamic and some static but all are physical methods utilised in the early stages of restoring this natural state.The term angahara refers to the sequential arrangements of bodily shapes as well as to the arrangement of the limbs within these shapes.
Individual Yogasana courses
In the Individual Yogasana courses the participants are taken to their natural limit based on the sequence of the Asana-angahara they are currently working with in their daily practice. To qualify for Individual yogasana courses participants must have completed an Asana-angahara course with Emma and Sundernath or one of the qualified Shadow Yoga teachers listed on our website and be maintaining a personal practice.
Shadanga Yoga
In the Goraksha Shatakam (his invocation of power in one hundred verses) Goraknath does not refer to Hatha-yoga or Raja-yoga: nor does he mention the terms yama and niyama as these accomplishments are assumed. Instead he sets out the system of practices under the title of Shadanga-yoga (six-limbed yoga).
In the first section on asanas, Goraknath mentions only two: Siddha and Kamala (Padma). This indicates that a practitioner prepared for this stage must already have done a great deal of serious work and is in complete control of the physical organism. Furthermore this implies that mind control is the central objective of the practices to be described under the heading of the six limbs. These six limbs are Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, Kundalini-Udbodha (awakening or the Shakticalana mudra) and the Shatchakras.
Siddhasana is used for the development of Maha-mudra, Nabho-mudra (Khecari), Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mulabandha. Baddha-padmasana is used for the development of the refined Pranayamas and for Shakticalani-mudra. Viparita-karani-mudra is used for the implementation of Pratyahara and Pasini-mudra is employed in the internalising of the withdrawn energy and for bringing the respiration to a standstill. This marks the beginning of the various stages of Samadhi.
All these practices are interwoven with different modes and types of pranayama. In its essence therefore, Shadanga-yoga is a process of pranayama. As clarity develops, one grasps that control of the physical organism leads to mental steadiness; this leads in turn to the reversal of the flow of mental activity. Then, through this reversed mental flow, the mind eventually dissolves into the higher self so that the Yogi experiences a state of non-duality on the high spiritual plane. This state is a fulfilment of the Upanishadic ideal of Being.
Shadanga Yoga courses
The Shadanga Yoga courses are the first step in establishing the Athakarana or Sukshma Sharira (the subtle inner body), without which fulfillment of the Yogic path is not possible.
Asana Angahara One will be used for Deha Suddhi (purification of the body) and will incorporate the full use of Sarvangasana and some of its variations, as well as Sirsasana which is utilised here to prepare for the different modes of Pranayama that will purify both the gross and subtle systems. Later on these inverted positions will serve as mudras.
Deha Suddhi-Purification of the body consists of Mantra Sadhana for the accomplishment of Sosanadi (drying of the sound corridors), Sosana (Emaciating), Dahana (Burning) and Plavana (Flooding & Floating). This is accomplished with the use of the Ghantika-jala mudra and then gathered into a single point through Tejomaya (concentration upon a luminous circle of light).
Padmasana is required for automatic qualification but Swastikasana may be acceptable in some cases. Participants must have learnt the processes of Asana Angahara ONE under a qualified Shadow Yoga teacher. Please bring with you a 27 bead Mala when attending this course.
Please note that more Shadanga Yoga courses will be announced for USA & Australia in 2020 later this year.
Weekend workshops
Weekend workshops will consist of general practice formats of Shadow yoga or Nrtta Sadhana. Open to all levels with Yoga experience.
Registration for all courses organised by Shadow Yoga
For payments made in full when registration is confirmed, there is a 10% ‘early bird discount’. Please note that ‘early bird discount’ applies only for registrations made and paid in full at time of registration. This is not applicable to Retreats.
A minimum 25% non-refundable deposit can be made, however course fees must be paid six weeks prior to course commencement date. An email will be sent confirming your registration once we receive a minimum 25% non-refundable deposit.
All payments can be made with PayPal, Stripe or Direct Bank Transfer upon invoice from Shadow Yoga.
Qualified Shadow Yoga teacher discount
A discount of 10% applies for qualified Shadow Yoga teachers listed on the Shadow yoga website, and for those qualified through a registered Shadow Yoga teacher. Please note, this discount is not applicable for ‘early-bird discount’ as well.
Cancellation policy
A fee of 50% will be charged if cancellation is made within three months of course commencement date. After this time period the payment is non-refundable.
Publications
Sundernath (Shandor Remete) and Emma Balnaves
Shadow Yoga Video Area
View the following (previously DVD only):
- Revised Prelude Forms and Nata Yoga
- Preludes Forms with Shandor Remete & Emma Balnaves
- Chaya Vivaranam with Shandor Remete
- Balakrama with Emma Balnaves
- Yoking the Shadow
This membership gives you access to the repository of content as stated above.
There is no annual fee though access is limited to the life of this website.
The Nṛtta Sādhanā & Shadow Yoga network
Portrait photo Emma Balnaves.
Portrait photo Sophie Howarth.
Contact Shadow Yoga
Nrtta Sadhana Teachers
As at December 2018, the following Shadow yoga teachers also teach the Nrtta Sadhana forms. Their contact information can be found below under the Shadow Yoga Teachers listing:
Australia: Natasha Almeida, Peter Ujvari, Gary Mills, Louise Goodvach.
Israel: David Malka.
Europe: Karen Watson, Alexandra Gilbert, Daphne Strothmann.
United States: Matt Pesendian, Scott Blossom, Mark Horner, Andy Matinog, Chandra Easton, Catherine Halcomb, Judy Yu.
New Zealand: Jaymin Gansell.
Japan: Akiko Ueda, Koyu Terasawa.
Shadow Yoga Teachers
Below is a list of teachers of Shadow Yoga who we believe, as at December 2018, have shown an understanding of the basic principles of Shadow Yoga.
Listed in alphabetical order of Country.
ASIA
Kobe, Japan
Akiko Ueda
Tokyo, Japan
Koyu Terasawa: yogashuhari.jimdo.com
Sapporo, Hokkaido
Yumiko Obata: shadowyoga.jp
AUSTRALIA
Adelaide
Gary Mills: yogashala.com.au
Graham Clarke
Canberra
Rebecca Barlow: apsarayogashala.com
Melbourne
Louise Goodvach: yogamoves.org
Peter Ujvari: cityoga.com.au
Lara Thornton
Rebecca Odgers: yogayamabushi.com
Sydney
Natasha Almeida
Penny Cuthbert: hathayogadesha.com.au
Trevor Tangye
Juliet Willetts
Sydney, Eastern Suburbs
Suzanne Cohen
CANADA
Montreal, Quebec
Radhasri: hathayogashala.com
ENGLAND
North London
Karen Watson: islingtonyoga.com
Paulene Morphett: dalstonyoga.co.uk
Tim Cummins: timcumminsyoga.com
East London
Samantha Sculthorp: hathayogalondon.com
East-Central London
Monique Ledesma
West London
Caterina Hadjilias: yogaangarupamarga.com
EUROPE
Vienna, Austria
Sabine Irawan: hathayogamandapa.com
Paris, France
Alexandra Gilbert: dragonyogashala.com
South of France
Valérie Carretero: hamsayogashala.fr
Gütersloh, Germany
Daphne Strothmann: tulayogashala.com
Michael Dolan: tulayogashala.com
Dusseldorf, Germany
Michael Calignano: yogabhyasa.de
Amsterdam, Holland
Nicolet Montanus: shadowyoganederland.nl
Moscow, Russia
Andrey Galitskiy: shadowyoga.ru
Podolsk, Russia
Boris Voronin: yoga-podolsk.com
Novi Sad, Serbia & Kiev, Ukraine
Andrey Rozhnov
Lausanne, Switzerland
Alexandra Macdonald: alexandramacdonald.com
Barcelona, Spain
Amelie Strecker: yogaroom-bcn.com/en
MIDDLE EAST
Haifa, Israel
David Malka
Telaviv, Israel
Ronen Cohen
Telaviv & Herzliya, Israel
Noa Gottfried
Istanbul, Turkey
Defne Suman: shadowyogaturkiye.com
Pınar Üstün: shadowyogaturkiye.com
NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch
Mark Bouckoms
Whangarei
Jaymin Gansell: yogabeing.co.nz
UNITED STATES
Los Angeles, California
Matt Schwartz: goldenmonkeyhealing.com
Cindy Lee: cindileeyoga.com
New York City, New York
Andy Matinog: redcrowyogashala.com
Maya Smeloff
Portland, Oregon
Lita Batho: litayoga.com
Mandy Kruger: mandykruger.com
Santa Barbara, California
Matt Pesendian: mattpesendian.com
San Francisco & Bay Area, California
Scott Blossom: shunyatayoga.com
Chandra Easton: shunyatayoga.com
Mark Horner: horneryoga.com
Judy Yu: horneryoga.com
Jonny Nobleza: rootsourcemedicine.com
San Luis Obispo, California
Catherine Halcomb: yogashalaslo.com
Rachelle Ball: yogashalaslo.com
Shelley Massa: into-balance.com
CREATIVE CREDITS
Film
Tarun Jasani
Illustration & Photographic Montage
Alexandra Gilbert
Design & Development
featherstondesign.com.au
Social Media Manager
Natasha Almeida
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