News
Cape Town residents new to YogaLife, please enjoy one free week of yoga on us!
About
- We offer a variety of yoga classes that meet a wide range of needs unique to each individual, and thus serve multiple purposes. YogaLife's classes satisfy the fitness enthusiast, incorporate a meditative thread, and are available to practitioners at all levels - beginner through advanced – in heated and non-heated rooms. We focus on consistent instruction delivery and guiding a sustainable practice through skillful and creative posture sequencing. We recognize that every body is different, carries a unique history, and contains innate wisdom.
- Therefore, classes are student-centered with the focus on one's relationship to the posture, or "asana" as opposed to "doing the posture correctly or incorrectly." Our instructors are responsible for maintaining unconditional positive regard within the studio space and honoring each individual's development allowing for self-exploration, reflection and discovery. Through the asana practice students will connect with their breath and their truth and awaken a sense of trusting oneself and the life journey.
Philosophy
- YogaLife captures within its philosophy the holographic nature of the yoga practice as it relates to a fun and challenging physical practice for all walks of life, mind/body wellness, Eastern spiritual traditions, and collective wellbeing.
- As a non-discriminatory practice, we believe everyone can benefit from yoga. People of all shapes and sizes and ages will discover that the physical practice works beyond our differences as a doorway to a deeper understanding of one's self and connection to the collective.
- We regard the body as a guesthouse for the mind, and thus view the postures as vehicles for a deeper understanding of one's own mind/body process, relationship to self and all sentient beings, as well as physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility. Just as every body is different, so are the ways that each of us will interpret and express ourselves in a yoga pose. We at YogaLife are committed to holding an unconditional space for all body types and manifestations of the practice.
- The asana practice has been traditionally used as a preparation for meditation, a practice we regard as essential to understanding self, the human condition, and living a conscious life. The "awakened mind," or Bodhichitta, which also translates to "awakened heart" in the Buddhist tradition, is a natural state that is inherent within us all. Meditation facilitates the cultivation of Bodhichitta, thus allowing us to live more mindfully, or more in touch with our immediate experience.
- Inspired by the eight-limb path of yoga, Buddhist tradition, and Shambhala teachings, we at Yoga Life embrace all spiritual traditions. It should be noted that the practice of yoga is not meant to replace any religious doctrine, but rather can be used to enhance one's own relationship with life and the divine. While there are many aspects of the path, we focus on the teachings of compassion for self and others, as well as the Shambhala way of embracing the human condition.
- Aligned with the Noble Truths, we believe that pain is inevitable and suffering is optional. Practicing yoga and meditation does not guarantee a stress or pain-free life, but rather teaches us how to effectively manage life's difficulties and become transformed by them. Only through the cultivation of compassion for our own personal journey can we align with our purpose, begin to practice authentic unconditional regard for others,and become the conscious society we aspire to.
