What is Scaravelli Inspired Yoga?
The style of yoga Catherine teaches has been inspired by the pioneering approach of Vanda Scaravelli. This is a gentle yet demanding form of Hatha yoga, which focuses on developing core strength through releasing tension and creating length in the spine.
Scaravelli inspired yoga is a stress-free yoga that benefits everyone. Classes are suitable for all ages and all levels, from beginners to those with many years of experience. Regardless of your level of fitness, you will discover a longer, stronger and more flexible spine, a calmer mind, and begin to enjoy increased energy and ease of movement.
It uses the breath and gravity to allow the spine to unfold like a wave, allowing the uninhibited opening and energising of the whole body. As Vanda explains in the opening page of her book “Awakening the Spine”:
“There is a division in the centre of our back, where the spine moves simultaneously in two opposite directions: from the waist down towards the legs and the feet, which are pulled by gravity, and from the waist upwards, through the top of the head, lifting us up freely”.
Vanda’s teachings are miraculously simple. She encouraged her students to do less, feel more. To unwind, release unnecessary tension, and begin to simply be. “You must only undo. The more you undo, the more you are and the more things come to you. Don’t try to become; you are.”
All photos of Vanda Scaravelli are with kind permission of Pinter & Martin, publishers of
“Awakening the Spine: Yoga for Health, Vitality and Energy”
by
Vanda Scaravelli
Releasing unnecessary tension – the importance of gravity
One of the most important revelations about Scaravelli inspired yoga comes with the discovery of release. Some of the most pleasant sensations we feel during yoga are the lightness and lift – the feeling of grounding and release that happens when we unravel the body and release unnecessary tensions. Vanda understood this, and focused much of her attention on simply using the positions to allow tension to fall away from the body, surrendering to the pull of gravity. Although this is an incredibly simple idea, the practice is more complex, bound up, as it is, in our body histories, the way we inhabit our bodies, the work we do, and the way we react to physical, emotional and psychological stimuli.
If we can follow her advice and at least begin to recognise where we hold on, we may begin to release tension away from the body, let go, and unravel established holding patterns. Once we set this process in motion, our structures will naturally begin to move with more ease and fluidity, as they did when we were children.
Suitability – postural and spinal issues
This Scaravelli inspired yoga approach is gentle, yet demanding. We work deeply, but with intelligence, so that the practice raises our awareness, helping us to make sustainable, healthy and nourishing choices, which will affect us and those closest to us, at all levels – physical, psychological and emotional. Scaravelli inspired yoga, is particularly helpful for those who are working with postural issues, lower back pain, stiff necks and shoulders and for those who are stressed, and need some space to learn how to deeply relax.
Scaravelli Inspired Yoga with Catherine Annis
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