Aileen’s Approach to Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu Yoga is the yoga of compassionate self-awareness.
Whether a class is vigorous or gentle, you’ll learn to:
- invite your body into a stretch without forcing it
- release chronic tension at gradually deeper levels
- find your own “edge” – the place where you’re getting a good stretch but not forcing it
- let “big energy” into the body with awareness: breathing into deep stretches and powerful strengthening moves.
Kripalu Yoga emphasizes “Witness Consciousness.” This means learning to watch whatever arrives — physical sensations, energy levels, thought patterns, emotional responses — so you can choose how to respond rather than clicking into habitual reactions.
Kripalu Yoga emphasizes the body-mind connection. As we release physical tensions, we also release mental and emotional tensions. In a Kripalu class, space is made for the whole person.
A Typical Kripalu Yoga Class
Centering and Breathing Techniques
All Kripalu classes begin with a centering. In a comfortable seated position with eyes closed, students are guided in practicing breath techniques (pranayama) to draw the focus inward, slow the breath and ease restless thoughts. Pranayama allows you to practise with greater awareness and respect for your body.
Warm-Ups and Postures
The centering is followed by warm-ups and then a series of postures (asanas) designed to stretch and strengthen the entire body. This makes up the main body of each class. Warm-ups and postures are guided step-by-step and students are encouraged to ask questions.
Relaxation and Meditation
The last 15 minutes of each class is devoted to guided relaxation and meditation, which helps students develop a sense of inner peace that can be carried throughout the day.
Kripalu Yoga includes three stages, which students are guided through at their own pace:
Stage 1 Body and Breath Awareness – is an introductory form of yoga for beginners. At this level, students learn how to properly align the body in yogic postures (asanas) and coordinate these with conscious and deliberate breathing techniques (pranayama).
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In Stage 2 Inner Focus and Concentration – more experienced students learn to hold asanas for longer periods of time andcultivate the art of mindfulness. Awareness and compassion are developed as students learn to pay attention to the subtleties of bodily sensations, breath, thoughts and emotions.
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In Stage 3 Absorption – advanced students are encouraged to use their intuition and inner wisdom to enter a spontaneous flow of postures known as “meditation-in-motion”.
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For more information:
- www.kripalu.org
- Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds
- Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope
- The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope
