What is Ishta Yoga?
ISHTA means ‘that which resonates with the individual spirit’, as well as an acronym for the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda.
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Hatha: From ‘ha / tha’ or ‘solar energy / lunar energy’ in Sanskrit, originated in the Tantric period. Hatha Yoga is the physical practice of asana, or yoga postures. Hatha also refers to the science of strengthening the weaknesses in an individual and removing the stress blockages in our systems.
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Tantra: From the root words ‘tanoti,’ ‘expansion,’ and ‘trayati,’ ‘liberation.’ Tantra is the belief that our essential nature is divine, perfect as it is, part of the universal consciousness, and filled with bliss. The practice of Tantra increases our awareness of this state of total liberation through acceptance of ourselves and everything around us. Tantra gives us many tools to achieve the understanding of our true selves.
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Ayurveda: From the words ‘ayur’ which means ‘life’ and ‘veda’ which means ‘science.’ This ancient Indian tradition teaches that we each have a constitution, or prakriti, that is unique like our fingerprints. According to ayurvedic thought, the ideal practice begins with understanding the individual’s unique prakriti and their needs based on the interplay of that constitution with their current situation. For example, stress, injuries, or changes in life or work all impact what practice is ideal for you at a given moment. Ayurveda in the ISHTA practice encourages self-exploration and an awareness of the impact our circumstances have on our physical, emotional, and energetic states. We seek to understand how to best create balance in our lives and accept who we are.
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Dee Oh is a certified yoga teacher of the lineage of ISHTA Yoga and specialises in teaching of Asanas (physical postures in Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga), Yoga Principles (Yama and Niyama), Pranayama (breath control techniques), Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep/guided meditation/visualisation) along with being a spiritual healer using chakra healing, crystal healing, sound meditation, energy transfer using hands, deep psychological analysis and life coaching techniques that are embedded within the practice of yoga and beyond.
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