Developmental Yoga with Amy Nold, CKYT, E-RYT

YOGA – A brief synopsis of the philosophy and practical applications By Amy Nold, CKYT

In order for the practice of Yoga to be beneficial, authentic, and transforming, I believe it must be rooted in the foundation of the first two limbs of the classical eight-limb system, known as Ashtanga Yoga. (This is not to be confused with the modern usage of the word to name what is also known as “power yoga”.) This methodology was codified by a sage named Patanjali over 2000 years ago. Like the eight-limb system of Buddhism, classical Yoga is a methodical system for evolving the whole human being, not just the body, as today’s Western bent would lead us to believe. Hence, the foundation, or first two limbs, known as the Yamas and Niyamas, (observances and restraints) are practices to develop our character. As an example, the first Yama, Ahimsa, refers to the practices of harmlessness. This, of course, is the same as the classical physician’s oath – above all, do no harm. This translates into practice on the mat of observing bodily sensations and learning to distinguish sensations that are indicative of under or overused body systems, versus sensations that actually indicate the organism is undergoing damage. This learning of the language of the body, and distinguishing what the body is capable of “in the moment”, through sensing and feeling, in contrast to fears being held in the mind about what the body is capable of, is if vital importance in the practice of Yoga, and in modern lingo is referred to as a somatic approach. Inherent in this way is the development of the capacity for Self-observation in the mental as well as physical realms, which is how I interpret the Niyama of Svadyaya., which also incorporates the higher limbs of the classical Ashtanga path, or deepening the minds capacity for internal concentration. Hence, through weaving the classical teachings into practical applications, the practice is learned deeply and thoroughly, rather than as a shallow one sided approach. 

KEY GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE FOR YOGA PRACTICE with Amy Nold

Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, Allow - the key maxims everything stems from.

Self–Refferal - You are encouraged to learn to be your own authority and have full autonomy and permission to do or not do whatever your best judgement deems to be in your best interest...not only in Yoga class, but in LIFE!

Mind IN Matter (not Mind over Matter) – Awareness is permeated into and throughout the whole body, decentralized from the brain. Eyes are unfixated to allow the senses to turn within.

Integrating the Seven Moving Principles - as taught by Donna Farhi in her book "Yoga Mind, Body, and Spirit."

Somatic Meditation – deepen concentrated awareness of the myriad obvious and subtle sensations in the body. Listening to sensations as the “raw data” of the body. Clarify and Communicate Intention from Mind to Body – Be clear about what you’re asking for from your body, then communicate and concentrate your intention directly into the cells of the area your focusing on.

Wave Form Breath is the Teacher and Healer - Cultivate, develop, and amplify inherent wave form qualities of breath by engaging breathing muscles within a variety of postures to maximally open to prana on inhalations and maximally release unnecessary tensions while cultivating healthy supportive tensionson exhalations.

Sensory Discernment - Know the difference between work and strain. Don’t force anything, yet work at of the edge of your fullest capacity in each moment. Discern what efforts are needed for each asana, and what aren’t, then engage only necessary efforts and let go of unnecessary efforts. Discern between the uncomfortableness of tension and the pain of injury to learn what is safe for you and what isn’t in the actual moment and level of posture you’re in.

Micromovements – Incrementally minute shifts in positions are encouraged to find and target the spots you need to open to. Releasing is the Process of Returning to Ease – Chronic tension results from chronic unconscious unnecessary doing or activity. Releasing stress, tension, strain, aches, and pains, is more about undoing than doing. Practice being in your body’s edges without resistance, fight, or struggle.

Cultivate Witness Consciousness - Self-observation without judgement is a tradition of all meditative paths. Simply watch and notice yourself without bias or preference to study and learn about your physical and mental habits and tendencies. Moving from Unconscious use of the body to Conscious Awareness - Employ conscious awareness, the most highly evolved element of our mind, to notice and re-program unconscious holding patterns of the bodymind..

Remembering and Reclaiming Wholeness – We all have a mix of strengths and weaknesses, perfection and imperfection, courage and fear, confidence and insecurities, health and woundedness, seriousness and silliness, attentiveness and inattentiveness. Opening our mind and heart to our own human experience allows us to then include all of what’s going in within ourselves in our consciousness.

Surrender to the Practice – Allow the mind and body to accept and allow the practice as a process of transformation. Be willing to dance with the unknown. Move a from fearful or dominating relationship with your body to one of Trust and Love - Progress is measured and attained by the progressive shift of moving from a fearful or dominating relationship of mind to body, to a trusting, loving, co-operative and co-creative relationship.

My Background in Yoga

I was intuitively drawn to begin my own Yoga practice at age 15 and learned through books and TV programs before taking my first Yoga classes in 1980. I continued developing my own practice for altogether 20 years before doing Yoga teacher training.

My first Yoga teacher training was done in 1996 at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox Massachusetts. After completing the training, I spent another year living there as a Karma Yogi , immersing myself in a Yogic lifestyle after a three month Spiritual Lifestyle Training program.  I was mentored by Kripalu's finest directors while acting as a Yoga program assistant. I also was invited to join the "Sadhana team", or be on the roster of teachers who taught group classes for the residents and public. After I absorbed everything they had to teach me, I left ready to step out into the world as a skilled Yoga instructor. 

I left Kripalu in 1998 and dedicated myself to learning how to market and deliver Yoga programs for the public. I moved to Victoria in Fall of '98, and was in on the ground floor of bringing Yoga into the mainstream here, through teaching mainly through community recreation and government facilities, and exposing thousands of students to the teachings and benefits of the practice. I have clocked in hundred if not thousands of teaching hours  - too many to keep count of -in the Greater Victoria area since that time., mainly through many community recreation facilities. 

In 2000, I undertook a second training in Advanced Yoga Studies with Donna Farhi during her first international teacher training program in Canada. This opened new doors of perception based on her profound teachings of integrating Developmental Movement into Yoga, that greatly evolved my practice and teaching. My unique style is a combination of these trainings, years of experience in the field, my background in creative dance and movement, and thousands of hours of teaching classes.