Insight Yoga

Overview

A Beautiful Blending of Yoga and Buddhism

In order for our practices to encourage a balanced equilibrium on all levels of our being, we must address both the Yin, or receptive aspects of our nature, as well as the Yang, or active, radiant qualities. These two primordial energies are considered to be inseparable in all forms of existence, with any imbalance in our body/mind organism traceable to either an excess or depletion of these Yin or Yang energies. Each day it is essential that we assess our overall constitution and choose the practices best suited to balance us.

Sarah Powers' interest in understanding the inseparability of the physical, energetic, emotional and mental domains of our being has inspired her to interweave these teachings from Chinese medicine with the rich traditions of Yoga. This union forms the basis of Yin/Yang Yoga, and the foundation of the practices presented on this DVD. Through their application we aim to restore and revitalize the body and mind, while cultivating an inner atmosphere for contemplation and meditation to arise with greater ease.

Highlights from this DVD include:

• • Over 4 hours of practice material
• • 2 unique 1-hour Yin yoga sequences with commentaries on Buddhadharma and Chinese medicine
• • a 1 hour vigourous Vinyasa sequence
• • a 40-minute Sun Salutation sequence
• • a 10-minute guided Sivasana relaxation practice
• • a 30-minute guided meditation practice
• • programmable sequences for a variety of practice combinations

Bonus Downloadable MP3: Om Mani Padme Hum

Ty Powers and Betty Roi's beautiful chant from the Savasana on the Insight Yoga DVD is now available as a downloadable MP3! Buy it now or add it to your order free when you purchase the Insight Yoga DVD!

Customer Reviews

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So nice to come home to self. Review by Heather

Rating

This is a wonderful broad spectrum DVD.

The Yin asanas are presented with “Insight” into which meridians are being most affected as well as a little Buddhist philosophy. This is done in a quiet respectful manner so as to not interfere with one’s own focus and awareness of what is happening within the long held postures.

I like the small but important areas brought to attention in the yang series. These little attentions to detail are hugely important to correct alignment and therefore physical safety. Even yoga can do harm over time when stressors are habitually applied incorrectly. In my experience many DVD ‘s as well as in live classes seem to forget the how’s and why’s of the practice of Yoga and therby the integrity of it all. Sarah never abandones.

An entire yin-yang class can be very long but you have ten class options to choose from to fit your schedule. I've never been to a live class with Sarah but I imagine this DVD is the next best thing. I feel like I'm there.

Insight Yoga. A very fitting title! Sarah’s book is also excellent!

These yin practices given (as in gifted) by Sarah’s, Paul Greely and Bernie Clark (check out yinsights.com) have been a quality of life saver for me. They have done for me what massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteotherapy and my old yoga practice could not – heal a repetative work induced injury I experienced to my sacro-iliac.

It’s so nice to come home to self.
(Posted on 2/11/12)

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Media Reviews

"Powers is an excellent vinyasa teacher, but where she really shines is in the two Yin practices. What she offers is a broad education that links the poses to traditional Buddhism, Western anatomy and physiology, and Chinese medicine. Her explanations of how the shapes of the poses activate certain organs and subtle energy channels are especially illuminating. Holding a yoga pose for five minutes can be a challenge, but Powers's soothing voice and powerful integrative vision turn the stay into a transformative experience.

“Insight Yoga is one of the most complete yoga training DVDs you'll find anywhere."

"Throughout [Insight Yoga], Sarah’s lovely voice and gentle presence flow like a soft summer breeze that carries you deep into the practice. If you’ve never tried Yin yoga, you’ll find this DVD both a great introduction and an excellent practice guide. And if you’re looking for a holistic practice that works on all levels of the body and mind, here it is."

"Here is a DVD that successfully cultivates a strong inner focus and foundation for a personalized home practice. Drawing from Sarah and Ty Powers' studies in Buddhism and yoga, Insight Yoga delivers an integrated approach to practice and fills a void in the present market. With over four hours of instruction, this DVD offers a medley of Yin yoga, vinyasa yoga, insight meditation, and guided Savasana. These can be experienced in a "pick-and-choose" style, by constructing one's own unique sequence, or through any of the 10 intelligently designed practices that aim to create particular effects, such as banishing fear or quieting excess mental stimulation.With her trademark softness and depth of personal practice, Sarah's instructions reveal a pertinent fusion of Dharma, Taoism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian yoga traditions, and personal anecdotes.The result is not a cacophony of information, but rather a slow and deliberate guidance to a deeper place within. A single practice of Insight Yoga gives one the opportunity to become still, enlivened, self-reflective, and bathed in meditative breath awareness throughout."

Also from Sarah Powers

About Sarah Powers

Sarah Powers began teaching in 1987. She interweaves the insights and practices of Yoga and Buddhism into an integral practice to enliven the body, heart and mind. Her yoga style blends both a Yin sequence of long held poses to enhance the meridian and organ systems, combined with a flow or Yang practice, influenced by Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and alignment based teachings.

Her Buddhist training in Insight Meditation includes many retreats with Spirit Rock trained teachers, time spent in a Monastery in Burma, and a dharma teacher training with Bhante Gunaratana. She has also sat a number of Zen and Chan retreats. Her main influence for the last 7 years has been the Dzogchen teacher, Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

She teaches retreats with her husband Ty, and together they home school their teenage daughter, Imani Jade. They live in Marin, CA.

You may also enjoy our special interview with Sarah: Sarah Powers on Insight Yoga and a Complete Path.