About us

OUR PRACTICE

WELCOME TO SHANTI YOGA™
Shanti Yoga is based on ancient, powerful and healing disciplines for cultivating physical, mental and spiritual growth. Progressive techniques of breath, posture and movement, cleanse, stretch and strengthen the body, focus and calm the mind and a deeper experience of the self becomes possible through consistent practice. It is amongst the most harmonic and penetrating tools you can use today to live a whole and conscious life. Looking beyond just stretching, we aim to develop a greater internal
awareness of the body and tap into the core strength and stability making you a master of your own life.

Shanti Yoga brings clarity to the mind, opennes to the heart and wisdom within one1s actions both on and off the mat. Yoga is a journey of self-discovery. Shanti Yoga practices encourage an intimacy with our own immediate, felt experience. By exploring embodiment, grounding and energetic alignment we can deepen awareness, self understanding and self healing. This creates a space for our deepest life to unfold. Increased physical vitality, emotional stability and clarity of mind are a natural consequence of regular practice. Our hectic modern day lives tend to make us lose touch of ourselves - yoga restores the body and mind to its fundamental state of well-being, peace, and vibrant alertness and leads to
balance and harmony in all areas of life. In boldly exploring new frontiers, advancing education, practices and healing within the larger context of Yoga, the physical practices of yoga are transformed into potent opportunities for transformation. This expansion of mind-body-spiritual wellbeing and human consciousness through the teachings and programs of Shanti Gowans returns us to the original purpose and intent of yoga practice, relinquishing any identification with the outward form of the
postures as qualifiers of success and instead viewing them as devices for inner change, development and yoga service towards the integration of mind, body, spirit and the environment.

Shanti Yoga: transforming lives
"In evolving Shanti Yoga, which is universal, I have assimilated the physical attributes of Hatha, Tantric and Karma Yoga and combined them with the spiritual, philosophical and psychological aspects of Raja, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga and have borrowed freely from other great philosophies of the world,
such as Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Zen, Sufism. The result demystifies many concepts and clarifies and reinforces the teachings of yoga.

The outcome of all this is synthesized as Shanti Yoga, the Yoga of peace for body, mind and spirit, within each individual and in the community. It is a system of classical Yoga designed expressly for the twenty first century. It unites the forces of all the Yogas, philosophical wisdoms, healing modalities, body-mind-spirit wellness concepts and places them together, transforming you in a way that is difficult for any other form to achieve.

Shanti Yoga has is a conscious system of education that address new frontiers of healing, promotes health, greater well-being, ease and peace, hygiene, happiness, joy, laughter, sound ethics and to feel good about yourself and others. It also helps you to exit the labyrinth of karma, reduce stress and cope by making healthier life choices, cultivating a balance in everything and teaches you to enhance the mind-body connection, breathe, meditate and to aspire to an even higher purpose in life.

CLASS STRUCTURE
A typical Shanti Yoga class

Integrating ancient eastern traditional yoga and health practices with modern western health understanding, Shanti Yoga™ addresses three essential fitness concerns by increasing your flexibility, increasing your strength and improving your cardiovascular health and stamina. It is a simple but powerful and integrated yoga experience of health, vitality, well-being, peace of mind, personal development and growth that offers students a broad range of experience from deep silence and stillness to dynamic activity to enliven all areas of your life.

Each class is an enriching and satisfying experience consisting of :
Warm ups, gentle stretching & basic classical Yogic postures.
Deep breathing exercises, relaxing and stress-release practices.
Relaxation, Visualization, Meditation, mind control practices, motivation and philosophical content.
A non-competitive, fun-filled, nurturing, supportive atmosphere.

A typical meditation class
Explore your inner universe, awaken extraordinary powers of the mind, access altered states of consciousness and unlock feelings of pleasure, bliss and peace of mind.
Mindfulness
Breathing
Mantra
Energy movement
Techniqueless technique

BENEFITS OF SHANTI YOGA
Get well. Stay well
Experience chronic pain relief
Tension and fatigue dissipation - mind and body
Disability reduction
Function improvement
Transform exhaustion and distraction, irritation and frustration
Enjoy successful sleep
Overcome stress
Release pressure
Boost energy
Health restoration - including mental and emotional
Dramatic and sustained after six months attendance
Restore balance
Move freely, breathe deeply
Enjoy your body more, worry about it less

New students: Your first class

What do I need to bring?
Please bring a non-slip yoga mat, towel and shawl or blanket if you have one. If not, we have blankets and mats available for general use at the Centre.

What should I wear?
It is preferable to wear light, loose clothing made from natural fibers with space that allows you to move and breathe. Your body temperature may change during class and between relaxation/meditation and
energy building practices.

What if I have an existing injury?
Please inform your teacher prior to class of any injuries or health issues that may affect you, including if you are pregnant.

Do I need to be flexible to do yoga?
Many people think that you have to be flexible to do yoga, but this is not true. Shanti Yoga™ is a consciousness-based Hatha Yoga program, offering a balanced approach that can be taken more deeply or gently, depending upon the needs of the individual. It is yoga you can do - from the cradle to
the grave. You are guided to experience body centered restful awareness, which in turn helps you and each student find the most appropriate way to do the postures. Irrespective of their age, flexibility or health everyone can benefit from yoga's postures, relaxation and breath work. We come to yoga as we are and we work to strengthen and relax ourselves starting from here.

What if I am pregnant?
Pregnancy is a natural condition of a woman's body. Please inform your teacher prior to class that you are pregnant. You may also like to refer to Shantiji's book: YOGA FOR PREGNANCY.