Orient and rapias
Psychology Center
Center for Oriental Studies and Therapies
Paths to Awakening Consciousness
YOGA
Yoga, in Sanskrit, means union. This should be understood as the union between body, mind, and consciousness, which make up the human being.
But if that's the case, why do we suffer? What, then, separates us from that feeling of continuous well-being that we should be experiencing if we finally have that union with the whole?
Well, the quick answer, in a single word, is: fear.
But are you afraid of this joyful union and the infinite happiness and peace it should bring?
Incredibly, yes.
But don't be alarmed, because this fear isn't really ours, but rather belongs to a completely virtual being that inhabits us, called the Ego, created and maintained by none other than our own mind.
The mind begins forming this "being" while still in the mother's womb as a way to interact with the countless good and bad sensations caused by an unknown world. Thus, it emerges as a character that "brings us pleasure" and "protects" us from a "dangerous" environment. Transforming itself into our intermediary with the external world, it
It sells us security, but delivers an illusion.
Now, understand that the Ego is not the villain of our story, but rather a mental apparatus often necessary for our relationships and even survival in the physical world – at least until we can assume our consciousness and walk on our own two feet. The problem is that, as a side effect, in this process our mind invariably makes us believe that we ARE it. But it knows that we are not.
That is why he is afraid. That is why he instills fear in us. And if, for a few moments of inspiration, we try to glimpse our transcendental reality by taking a step back and observing the workings of the Ego, it immediately runs away, closing the curtains and hiding behind a thousand and one psychological tricks so as not to be discovered and thus risk losing its usefulness, which is the source of its existence.
Another problem is that the Ego bases its actions on past events and lives in the incessant pursuit of some goal in the future – even if it is to forget or relive the past – and in this way, it cannot exist in the present. Thus, every time we try to live in the now – in fact, the only moment in which it is possible for us to live – immediately, behind our backs, it whispers in our ear: “What am I doing here standing still playing with my child, when there are so many more important things deserving my attention, like thinking about his future, for example?”. For the ego, thinking is necessary, living is not necessary. Thus, in exchange for thoughts, we do not live in the moment, that is, we do not live.
And that's where Yoga comes in. Its practice, in this sense, aims to suppress this incessant mental process through postures, mantras, breathing techniques, and meditation, in order to liberate us from the shackles of the mind and, consequently, from anxiety, fear, and all sources of anguish and loneliness.
Find yourself and the universe. Practice Yoga.
GROUP CLASSES
In this modality, the focus is on the physical practice of classical Hatha Yoga through asanas (postures) combined with concentration exercises. Centered on body work, Hatha Yoga pays close attention to correct alignment during asana. The purpose of this alignment is to break bodily patterns, consequently breaking emotional and behavioral patterns. The precise alignment between body, mind, emotions, and senses, coordinated with breathing, ultimately allows for perfect balance.
Monthly fee with promotional price.
INDIVIDUAL LESSONS
Instructor: Adriana Braz
The purpose of Yoga, in all its ancient variations, has always been the awakening of Consciousness. This knowledge was passed only from master to disciples prepared to acquire it. However, today, due to the great expansion in the West in the search for wisdom and the benefits of the practice, people with much, little, or even no prior preparation or knowledge of Yoga are seeking instruction on the technique and philosophy. Thus, the great variation among students in terms of physical condition, life stage, and individual pursuits makes it extremely difficult to form a homogeneous group that would allow, in joint classes, to reach everyone in at least a similar way. In contrast, individual classes, respecting the differences and uniqueness of the students, allow us to use the most diverse tools available in Yoga, which basically consist of correct breathing (Pranayama), the practice of specific physical postures (Asanas), and various meditation techniques (Dhyana).
Relaxation (Yoganidra), inner transformation (Yamas and Niyamas), among others. Furthermore, it allows for a more targeted application of videos, mantras, music, texts, books, and other specific resources which, together with the dedicated time in class for guidance with questions and answers about the philosophy (Satsangs), provides the student with better conditions to achieve the much-desired inner balance.