shadow yoga
Developed by master teacher, Zhander Remete, Shadow Yoga is a complete school of Hatha Yoga. Its practices are taught through three preludes which combine spiraling, coiling, folding, and pumping movements with breathing. This coordinated movement helps to free conditioning and other restrictions in the mind and body, freeing the intuitive use of the body. The preludes guide one to utilize asana with equilibrium in a step-by-step manner.
• Balakrama - Stepping into Strength
The first of the three preludes, Balakrama corrects the grounding action of the feet which allows for the hips to release. Through its pumping and releasing actions, the practitioner increases strength and endurance.
• Chaya Yoddha Sancalanam - Churning of the Shadow Warrior
Commonly referred to as Sancalanam, the second prelude deepens the leg work through warrior and horse stances which are coordinated with hand and arm movements.
• Kartikkeya Mandala - Garland of Lights
This powerful prelude consists of powerful spiraling movements that draw from the stance work developed in the previous preludes. When worked well, it enhances the practitioner's sensitivity of the peripheral body and the ability to withdraw its energy to the center. It provides a good place to begin working the primary asana.
Learning Shadow Yoga at Red Crow Yoga Shala
The Shala provides grounded, progressive immersions and self-practice classes for students to learn Shadow Yoga and asana. Learning the preludes is done through immersions. It is only through repeated, guided lessons that one can digest the prelude work and then continue with self-practice classes where students are given individual work. Private sessions with Andy and Maya are also available and provide an opportunity for deeper work or for special attention. These sessions can be organized by contacting info@redcrowyoga.com.
Shadow Yoga Basics
This is the best place for those with no Shadow Yoga experience to begin. Students work on learning the basic movements of the ten turnings and Jiva Calana. These provide the foundational balancing, foot work, and body awareness that will allow them to succesfully learn Balakrama and Sancalanam preludes.
Level I Immersion
Students work on learning Balakrama and Sancalanam preludes and building proficiency with basic asana including: samakonasana, mayurasana, hanumanasana, pascimottanasana, and swastikasana. Open to anyone with prior Shadow Yoga experience or six months recent yoga practice.
Level II Immersion
Students focus on refining Sancalanam and learning Kartikkeya Mandala. On cleaning up the rough movements of the preludes, students find subtlety and rhythm in the movement. Students work extended stances to build power and proper breathing in addition to being introduced to expanded asana sequences. Open to anyone who knows a prelude and is comfortable standing in Vaishaka for 5 minutes.
Self Practice
Ultimately, yoga is a private endeavor and self practice provides an avenue for one to go in this direction. Using the prelude work as the base, one safely deepens their understanding and acceptance of their self through individual work. Participants must have Andy's permission before attending.
The book, Shadow Yoga/Chaya Yoga: Principles of Hatha Yoga, is a thin but dense volume on this work. DVDs of the practices and a publication on Yoga for Women is also available at this site. Additional information on Shadow Yoga, Zhander Remete (founder), and Emma Balnaves (director) can be found on their website. Keep in mind that these aids are not a substitute for direct learning.