Universal yoga is an integrated system based on the centuries-old wisdom of Tibetan healers, as well as such classical yoga directions as Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa. The most effective author’s methods complement the programs; as a result, the world community has received radically new advice, attractive with its accessibility.
Individualism in terms of exercise complex preference, age, physiological factors, and aesthetic preferences Universal yoga sees a person as an individual first, so it only encourages personal aspirations, impulses, creativity, and sometimes even a subjective view of things, and yoga in particular. There are no contraindications here, only wishes and alternatives. Even the most inexperienced practitioners can show their will.
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The history of the formation of universal yoga
Andrey Lappa became the founder of the universal yoga movement, his experience in oriental practices in decades. He is a wise and exciting person who constantly desires to improve his abilities. People around him have always noted his unconventional thinking and ability to win over any interlocutor. Andrey studied with the best yoga masters from the historical homeland of culture, India, as well as from Nepal, Indonesia, and Tibet. Deep study and constant practice helped him delve into the very essence of the techniques and see them as they were at their origins.
Andrey’s path in yoga began in 1977, and years of personal development were not in vain. In the early 90s, he received confirmation of his qualifications from the Embassy of India. I noticed him, and soon, he was able to study with B.K.S. Iyengar himself. The young practitioner showed great promise, so he was honored with free training at the Central Institute of Yoga (India). K. Pattabhi Jois (the founder of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga) also collaborated with Andrey. Their first practice was by a series of lectures on the art of Patanjali, that is, on the classical techniques of Pranayama and Meditation, and finally by a blessing from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to engage in personal teaching activities.
Andrey Lappa accumulated a sufficient amount of experience and collected the personal achievements and wisdom of the greatest philosophers, which allowed him to develop his methodology. Universal yoga was a unique system that found no gaps in other directions. Interpretations of some provisions differ, but in general, the plan represents classical principles and eastern wisdom. On his behalf, Andrey added Shiva Dance to the classes, elements of martial arts aimed at developing reaction speed and a sense of balancing the ranks and adding variety to them.
Differences between universal yoga from other movements
Universal yoga restores his unity with the world in each person, the necessary balance of harmony in the soul and the whole Universe. Each of the elements of the style, meditation, exercises, and breathing exercises, is a tool for achieving this goal of purification of the body and soul, the development of all human shells.
The first step is the acquisition of consciousness. This step is the most fundamental on the way to inner harmony. All shells should be at the same time is the key to good health and successful development. Next should follow the training of controlling thoughts by willpower. It is challenging. The resolve of an ordinary person is almost always at a weak level, but it is not difficult to develop. Asanas, chanting mantras, using special mudras, and breathing exercises come to the rescue.
Universal yoga touches on such a concept as Races. In simple terms, these are the states of a person’s development of his chakras. With time and regular practice, the chakras become more active. When performing asanas, a simple principle applies, as, in everyday life, physical actions are not as necessary as the inner mood. Its correctness comes with experience. A person does not notice how the acquired qualities make him more successful.
There are three main categories of classical asanas in universal yoga:
- Passive, they help to make the muscles more elastic and prepare them for more intense exercises;
- Active with them, one muscle group is working on the development of another muscle group;
- It was mixed, implying both active and passive positions simultaneously.
Some exercises have become the personal development of the creator. Andrey Lappa has brought several new positions to yoga based on classical ones.
Their primary purpose is a deep study of the arms and shoulder girdle; muscles and joints are another unique difference in direction, and practices open up the possibilities of joint movement in different directions. Other areas of yoga do not pay much attention to the joints, so their healing effect manifests itself much later. As important as it is to build muscle and increase mobility, there is more to fitness. Asanas normalize the level of vital energy, put the mind in order, and prepare a person for meditative practices.
Also notable in universal yoga is the role of the teacher in the process of becoming a student. During the training, the teacher practically does not interfere in the process, as this will impede personal individual development. Here the teacher carries out other functions. He reveals the entire range of exercises to his wards without insisting on a specific modification. Universal yoga gives freedom of choice, which students apply according to their taste and capabilities – simplify or complicate each action.
Levels of practice development
The practice of universal yoga involves four levels with ascending complexity:
- The first level is the study of the joints and muscles of the legs. Special attention is paid to the hip joints, stretching the tendons and forces on the backplane of each leg. At the same level, work with the spine begins. These are elementary basic exercises;
- The second level emphasizes elbows, knees, ankle joints, and the foot. The student becomes more robust, he understands the capabilities of his body and grows up to an independent stretching of the spine and twine;
- The third level continues to work on increasing the potential of the body, in particular, the indicators of endurance, strength, and flexibility. Complex bends and deflections, handstands, or even on the one hand (depends on the student’s physiology). The latter to improve the flow of energy through special channels;
- When evaluated by an unprepared person, the last professional level will look like something supernatural. These are complex exercises, a skillful combination of any activities from the classes below, managing your energy.
What will be the universal yoga training?
Although students can modify the exercises personally for themselves, the structure of each training remains unchanged. The beginning is a warm-up, that is, preparing the body for work. The main exercises for developing the spine, legs, and arms at levels higher than the first are asanas in an inverted position. Breathing exercises follow the asanas, and the lesson will end with chanting mantras at higher levels with meditation and other psychotechnics.
Actions can be either wholly independent or form part of more complicated systems. Typically, the complex will have a good mix between moving parts and stationary ones. All muscle units are engaged when doing tasks within the same complex.
Universal yoga has absorbed many asanas for the hands; there are many vital points on the palms and hands. The ancient sages called them marmas. With the help of exposure to marmas, a person can change his state in terms of physiology and psychology and even redirect personal energy in the right direction. The essence of the practice is that the student independently adapts the exercises and their complexes to himself. The more advanced the level and the more intense the desire for the treatment, the more options he can afford to try out.
Proven effectiveness
The most important benefit for which people choose universal yoga for themselves is bodily perfection, that is, an increase in strength and plasticity, the stability of the mind, willpower, and balance of emotions. You build your practice to be the most useful for you personally. It will lead to peace with yourself and the environment. The approach will bring consciousness and responsibility into everyone’s life and even superpowers when they reach a professional level!