Flexibility, Strength and Mobility

The key to effective asana practice is a balance between building strength and developing flexibility. An imbalance between the two may create problems: too much flexibility can create areas of weakness in the body that are vulnerable to injury, and can lead to instability in the joints, while too much strength may restrict the range of movement and spontaneous or unusual movements risk causing injury. Yoga asanas (postures) provide a full range of movement to all parts of the body. Practiced dynamically with deep, conscious breathing these movements stretch the muscles and other connective tissues, releasing tension, promoting flexibility and increasing range of movement. Again with deep conscious breathing, staying in postures or moving the body against the force of gravity will help to develop and maintain strength.

Core Strength, Stamina and Posture

One of the most important aspects of this practice is the correct use of the breath. Full diaphragmatic breathing that actively engages the abdominal muscles strengthens the core muscles that support the spine and minimises the negative effects that time and gravity have on the natural curvatures of the spine. Regular practice will see an improvement in posture and an improvement in the strength and flexibility of the spine. Learning to breathe more slowly and deeply improves the lung function and triggers the body’s relaxation response. It will also provide cardiovascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake.

Mental Steadiness and Emotional Balance

Classical texts on Yoga state that the most important aim of the practice of asanas (postures) is to reduce disturbance in the mind and to increase calm and clarity. This is the key feature of asana practice that sets it aside from other forms of exercise. To increase mental steadiness we need to focus our mind. In time, this will reduce the mind’s tendency toward distraction and bring about awareness and quietness. This is the basis of meditation and asana practice can itself be a form of meditation when we focus our mind on the quality and duration of the breath. We will naturally be alerted to our loss of focus when we become aware that our breathing has slipped back into its usual involuntary pattern. With this continual awareness, we will be lead to a state of balance at the end of our practice, which in time will naturally flow to all areas of our life.

Svastha Yoga

At Svastha Yoga New Zealand our aim is to share the benefits to body and mind of the ancient art of Yoga. The word Svastha in Sanskrit literally means “to stay as your self” and refers to the state of complete health and balance in body and mind.

What is Svastha Yoga?

The Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda organisation was started by A.G. and Indra Mohan in order to propogate the teachings of the legendary yoga, Sri T. Krishnamacharya of whom they were both long term students.

Rather than a standardised style or brand of yoga , this is classical yoga as taught by Sri Krishnamacharya - i.e. an inclusive and integrated approach, where each persons individuality and unique requirements are honoured.

What to expect:

At Svastha Yoga New Zealand we teach smaller classes in order to maintain emphasis on personal attention, ensuring maximum benefit and enjoyment for each person in class. Each class will vary depending on:

• Level of ability
• General mood of the group
• Time of day/year 

Whether active and physically challenging or relaxing and restorative all of our classes are guided by an underlying set of principles which include:

• Mindful attention to breath and movement
• Proper breathing for maximum benefit to mind and body
• Intelligent sequencing of postures for a balanced practice
• Providing variations and adapting postures to address the specific needs and goals of each student

All classes include asana practice (postures), pranayama (focused breathing) and a period of relaxation.

You can expect to finish class feeling relaxed, refreshed and more peaceful in the mind!

"Svastha Yoga has given me the tools to address the source of my shoulder, neck and back pain, rather than simply treating the symptoms. Other forms of yoga I have tried didn’t identify how my body was creating and storing tension, leading to bad posture and ongoing pain. Now I’m working with my body, rather than against it, to release tension and maintain fitness, health, good posture and a peaceful mind to boot. Highly recommended!" Nicola - Auckland

The Mohans

A.G. Mohan

A.G. Mohan was a personal student of Sri T. Krishnamacharya for 18 years from 1971- 1989. His first book, Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind was published in 1993, and contains a foreword by Sri Krishnamacharya himself, describing Mohan’s studies with him. It has been translated into several languages and is used by yoga teacher training courses world wide. He is the co-author, with his wife and son, of the book Yoga Therapy, published in December 2004 and has translated the Yoga Yajnavalkya, one of the most important ancient classical texts on Yoga. A.G. Mohan continues to travel widely and has students in numerous countries. The teaching of the Mohans is currently offered under the banner of Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda.

 Indra Mohan

Ganesh Mohan

 Ganesh Mohan, son of A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan, is a doctor, trained in modern medicine and in Ayurveda. He has been practicing yoga from childhood. The co-author, with his parents, of the book Yoga Therapy, he has been teaching yoga with a therapeutic focus for several years now, bringing a combination of modern and Ayurvedic medical knowledge to yoga.

Nitya Mohan

Nitya Mohan, daughter of A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan, has been practicing yoga from childhood. She is an accomplished singer of classical Indian music, and holds a degree in music. She has lectured and given concerts in several countries, including the USA, France and Germany. She is currently residing in Singapore, where she runs the Svastha yoga teacher training programs.

For further details, including products (e.g. audio CDs of Vedic chanting by Sri Krishnamacharya and the Mohans), please visit www.svastha.com.

Sri T. Krishnamacharya

It is widely accepted in the field of yoga now that the greatest influence in recent times has been the teaching of the yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989). Practically all existing styles of yoga have been influenced by, mixed with or derive from the teaching of Sri Krishnamacharya or his students. Most existing yoga teachers, even if they follow a different teacher or tradition, have learnt from or incorporated the teaching of Sri Krishnamacharya in their work. Sri Krishnamacharya was not only well versed in yoga, but was extraordinarily knowledgeable in other fields of traditional knowledge as well; he held the equivalent of doctoral degrees in all six systems of traditional Indian philosophy and in Sanskrit grammar.