Yoga Main Page

Anusara-Inspired Yoga

Founded in 1997 by American yogi, John Friend, Anusara-inspired yoga is commonly known as "heart-centered" yoga. It is upbeat and founded on the belief that divine goodness permeates life. According to the official Anusara website, "Anusara yoga teachers are committed to helping build and empower each student's self-esteem, while inspiring light-heartedness, playfulness, and joyful creativity within the yoga practice." Friend's form of yoga is influenced by his life-long interest in meditation and religious and philosophical views, such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Jewish Mysticism.

In addition to Friend's life philosophy, the Anusara approach to yoga is also influenced by Iyengar, in that it can involve the use of props to help students with difficult poses and by vinyasa flow, with poses moving fluidly from one to the next.