The Benefits of Yoga Part 1: Tried Scaravelli inspired Yoga?

The benefits of yoga are many, and when we align ourselves with the right practise, we can reap even more.

My name is Erling, and I have been teaching yoga for 24 years. I am a senior qualified teacher with the Independent Yoga Network (IYN) and a yoga studio owner. My teaching style is inspired by the work of Vanda Scaravelli, who developed a unique approach to the practise of yoga.

Scaravelli-inspired yoga is a gentle and supportive form of yoga that emphasises the use of the breath to release tension from the body. The focus is on quality over quantity and on moving in a way that feels good for you. This style of yoga is suitable for all levels of ability and can be adapted.

Introduction

Yoga is a wonderful way to unwind and de-stress, and Scaravelli inspired yoga is a gentle and supportive style that can assist you in doing so.

Scaravelli-inspired yoga may be right for you if you are looking for a more intuitive and meditative approach to yoga. Rather than forcing the body into difficult poses, this style of yoga focuses on breath work and alignment. As a result, it can be gentler and restorative than other yoga styles.

The use of the breath to release tension from the body is emphasised in this yoga style. The emphasis is on self-awareness and noticing yourself. It is about quality over quantity and moving in a way that feels good to you. Yoga’s advantages are revealed naturally.

What is Scaravelli inspired yoga?

Scaravelli Inspired Yoga is a form of yoga practise that respects the “revolutionary” understanding of yoga shared by Vanda Scaravelli during her later years and through her book “Awakening the Spine.”

Vanda Scaravelli was born in Italy in 1908. She began practising yoga in her twenties and continued to practise it into her eighties. Scaravelli was influenced by the yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, who developed a form of yoga that emphasises correct alignment of the body.

Vanda Scaravelli’s approach to yoga is different from Iyengar’s. Scaravelli believed that the spine is the key to a healthy body, and a yoga practice that respects the spine will lead to a more natural alignment of the body.

Scaravelli’s book, “Awakening the Spine,” was published in 1991, shortly before her death. In this book, Scaravelli shares her Yoga philosophy and approach to Yoga practice.

Scaravelli’s Yoga is about listening to your body and finding your way of moving into the Yoga postures. There is no fixed sequence of postures in Scaravelli Yoga. Instead, the focus is on finding ease in the asanas (postures) rather than forcing the body into them. The focus is on quality, not quantity and breath-led movement.

This way of practising Hatha Yoga can be beneficial for beginners as well as experienced yogis who are looking to deepen their understanding and experience of Yoga.

The benefits of yoga: Scaravelli inspired.

Scaravelli-inspired yoga is a type of intuitive yoga that focuses on freeing the spine and using gravity to our advantage. The goal is to move in a way that feels natural and is based on our breath. This type of yoga can be beneficial for those looking to intuitively connect with their body and move in a way that feels good.

This approach to yoga can be beneficial for those looking to intuitively connect with their body and better understand their limitations and strengths. It can also be a great way to begin exploring the practice of yoga without being confined to the traditional movements and poses. It can be modified to suit the needs of each individual.

Some of the other benefits of Scaravelli inspired yoga include improved posture, increased flexibility, and enhanced breath control. This is common to most forms of Hatha yoga, but because we do not stress joints, mobility comes naturally, and joints are maintained healthily.

This style of yoga focuses on the individual and natural ranges of human movement rather than forcing the body into challenging poses. As a result, it can be gentler and restorative than other styles of yoga. Additionally, Scaravelli inspired yoga can help to improve your overall flexibility and range of motion.

This type of yoga can also help to improve concentration and focus. Additionally, Scaravelli inspired yoga can promote relaxation and stress relief. By practising this type of yoga regularly, you can experience many positive changes in your overall health and well-being.

If you are looking for a more relaxing and rejuvenating yoga practise, Scaravelli-inspired yoga may be the perfect fit.

The science behind yoga

According to some, Vanda Scaravelli was considered to be ahead of her time in terms of the neurology or science of the approach she advocated. We have made significant advances in our understanding of the human brain during the last two decades. The felt sense of our bodies in motion is a multi-layered neural–brain event that occurs in our brains. It’s ancient, as old as our existence on this planet and as old as our earliest life forms. We have evolved to move, and our central nervous systems are responsible for monitoring the sensations associated with our movements. Unique blueprints or patterns are formed for each of us due to this constant monitoring.

When teaching a student who lacked mobility, unlike traditional hatha yoga teachers like B.K.S, Iyengar, her instinct was not to force them to adapt their bodies through constant effort in twisting, bending, and stretching but to allow them to change their form of the pose to suit their unique movement patterns. Traditionalists, such as Iyengar, placed such a high value on the postures and felt such a strong connection to them that they believed it was only through perfecting them that the true benefits of yoga could be discovered.

On the other hand, continued stress on joints, as we now understand, will not result in increased joint mobility; on the contrary, it will have the opposite effect. The tissues surrounding the joint become hard and devoid of a healthy shape over time.

Consider this: we are first and foremost human organisms learning yoga; we are not yogis who are learning the human form.

Transformation

I have been practising and teaching yoga for nearly 25 years, and in that time my beliefs, ideas and philosophy have changed, as has my body. I am not the same person as I was at the beginning of this journey. What I experience in my practice is an accumulation of all my past. I cannot change the past, I can only pay attention to now, how am I feeling now. And herein lies the beauty of this style of yoga.

Reading descriptions of the benefits of this new yoga is like watching good food being placed on a tray without being allowed to touch it. Only when you begin to eat can you truly appreciate its flavour and texture. So it is with this new kind of yoga. Once they begin to practise it, teachers enjoy it and so convey this joy to their students, who, in their turn, find it easy to learn and agreeable to perform. To absorb the teaching requires infinite time and no ambition.

Vanda Scaravelli

FAQ’s: Scaravelli inspired yoga

– Where do you look for a Scaravelli yoga teacher?

The best place to find a good yoga teacher is through word of mouth. If someone has had any experience with a particular yoga teacher, they will usually tell their friends and family about it. This can be immensely helpful if you are looking for a new teacher because you know that your friend or relative has been happy with them. It is also worth checking out online reviews as there are many websites where people share their experiences with different teachers. Always check their teaching credentials, not all yoga teachers’ training programmes are equal.

– How do you find a Scaravelli inspired yoga teacher online?

You can search for any type of yoga teacher, but if you are looking to learn more about the practice of yoga in general and the philosophy behind it, then finding a good teacher is essential. You want someone who will help you understand what yoga really means and how it works. You do not need to go to a class every week, so long as you are open to learning about yourself. Having a beginner’s mindset enables you both to grow and learn something new each time you meet. Google it, and enjoy.

– What should I expect when booking a Scaravelli inspired yoga class?

Probably the main difference is the teacher will allow more time to intuitively explore poses and movements, rather than go through a choreographed sequence of poses. Perhaps classes are more popular with women, as they tend to be more attuned to deeper intuitive stillness.

Guys like to show they are strong, but that is not a rule, more of an observation. If you have booked a private lesson with a teacher, you should always arrive on time. The teacher may ask you to be patient with your practice and not expect radical physiological changes. Developing a safe yoga practise is the result of patient self-observance and kindness.

– What is the difference between a traditional yoga teacher and a Scaravelli inspired one?

A traditional yoga teacher will teach you poses, breathing techniques, and, potentially, meditation practises. Generally, postures are taught in a choreographed sequence. This idea stems from the 1930s in India and one man, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, with a focus on mastering sequences of conditional postures. They will explain why these things work and give you exercises to try at home. They may also encourage you to follow specific dietary guidelines.

A Scaravelli-inspired teacher will focus on helping you develop a strong sense of self-awareness. They will not necessarily teach you poses, breathing or meditation techniques. Instead, they will encourage you to explore the world around you through your senses and use them to develop an understanding of your intuition about how to move your body. Asana can take a second-row seat; they will not ask you to perfect them.

Developing self-awareness, for example, they might suggest that you stand in front of a mirror and observe yourself without trying to change anything. Or they could invite you to walk barefoot along a beach and notice how your feet feel against the sand. The benefits of yoga off the mat are as powerful, if not more, than in a class.

– Can I practise yoga anywhere?

Yes, you can practise yoga anywhere. There is no reason you cannot do yoga at home, in the park or even in your office. All you need is somewhere quiet where you will not disturb anyone else.

– Are there any benefits to practising yoga?

There are many health benefits associated with practising yoga. Regularly doing yoga helps improve flexibility, balance, strength, and concentration, contributing to better overall physical and mental wellbeing.

– Why does yoga matter?

Yoga matters because it teaches us to live life in harmony with ourselves and others. It encourages us to become aware of our thoughts and emotions and to accept them rather than struggle against them. As we grow stronger in our practise, we begin to see the world differently. We become more patient, more forgiving, and more compassionate. Yoga ultimately helps us lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

– Is yoga safe?

Of course! Yoga is completely safe. Doctors and medical professionals recommend it. However, some types of yoga require you to stretch beyond your comfort zone. So, make sure you talk to your doctor first if you are worried about any injuries.

– How often should I practise yoga?

The frequency of your yoga sessions depends on your goals. You should start off two to three times per week if you are just beginning. This is enough to get into shape and build muscle tone. Once you are feeling fitter, you can increase your workouts to five days a week.

– When should I stop?

It is essential to listen to your body. If you feel pain during your practise, it is probably too intense for you. You can reduce the intensity of your workout by reducing the number of repetitions. Alternatively, you can switch to a different type of yoga class, such as restorative or gentle flow classes.

– Where can I learn more about yoga?

You can find out more about yoga by visiting erling.yoga/classes. We have lots of articles, videos, and other resources available.

Conclusion

Overall, the benefits of Scaravelli-inspired yoga are numerous and far-reaching. If you’re looking for a less physical and more introspective form of yoga, Scaravelli-inspired yoga may be the perfect choice for you. This type of yoga emphasises breath work and alignment so that it can be adapted to your individual needs. It’s also suitable for all levels of ability, so you don’t have to feel intimidated if you’re new to yoga. What are you waiting for? Give Scaravelli-inspired yoga a try today!