What Is ‘Scaravelli Inspired’ Hatha Yoga?
An overview of yoga
My approach to yoga
My approach to yoga draws upon many years of practice with inspirational teachers, all of whom were influenced by the work of Vanda Scaravelli. I see my approach to this work as a process of getting in touch with one’s own body, of listening to it, and responding intelligently and playfully.
I am interested in keeping things simple - working with the force of gravity, cultivating patience, becoming aware of where we hold tension, and developing compassion. There is an abiding quality of ‘doing less’ in order to go deeper.
The meditative and reflective components of my yoga teaching draw upon my experience of practising insight (‘vipassana’) meditation from the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This approach, which is about cultivating mindfulness and other beneficial qualities, informs my yoga practice both on and off the mat.
In my experience, a natural compassion towards ourselves and to others arises out of yoga and meditation practice. This is attested to by many others! As we become more alive and awake to our relationship with ours and others’ bodies and minds, and how we relate to others, healing, change and growth becomes possible in new ways.
‘Hatha’ is a generic term that covers most forms of yoga that involve physical exercises called ‘asanas’. Within Hatha yoga, there are very differing approaches - much in the way that there are many different types of dance. Some of the ones you may be familiar with include: Astanga, Bikram, Iyengar, Sivananda, Vinyasa flow.
‘Scaravelli inspired’ yoga is the approach to Hatha yoga that I have been practicing since 1995 and teaching since 2001. Vanda Scaravelli (1908 - 1999), who came from Florence, Italy, was taught yoga by the renowned Indian teacher BKS Iyengar. She went on to develop her own approach, which she describes in the seminal book ‘Awakening the Spine’. This approach gives value to taking one’s time and expressing the asanas in a way that suits one’s body in order to develop a sense of connection and integration with the breath, the ground, and the pull of gravity.
‘Yoga’, more generally, is a term that translates as ‘union’ or ‘bringing together’. Originating in ancient India, it is first mentioned in texts known as the ‘Upanishads’. A later text known as the ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’ explain the eight ‘limbs’ of yoga where asana (postures and exercise) is one limb. Another important text called the ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ details the physical aspects of yoga and describes the asanas in detail along with various yogic ‘cleanses’.
How I teach
I have over 20 years experience teaching yoga and meditation. My approach is to nurture students in a friendly and safe space, so that they are able to explore movement, breathing and meditative practices starting from wherever they are in themselves. I teach all ‘levels’, from beginner or very experienced.
It is the journey rather than the arrival at a perfected ‘asana’ or pose that is transformational. I am interested in helping students find freedom in their bodies through slowing down, being curious, letting go and drawing the attention inwards.
I have taught people from all walks of life, including osteopaths, physiotherapists and psychotherapists, and have enjoyed sharing our collective knowledge. I have a sound understanding of anatomy and physiology and also draw upon my past experience as a massage therapist and reflexologist to inform my own awareness of touch and tension.
I give clear prompts, mostly using English, not Sanskrit, to aid clarity. I offer lots of alternative movements and breathing exercises to facilitate inclusion for all capabilities.
I draw upon a wealth of meditation experience - I have a regular mindfulness practice and have attended numerous residential meditation retreats over the last 20 years. I am also an experienced facilitator of deeply restful Yoga Nidra.
What to expect at a yoga class
A warm welcome awaits you in my small and friendly yoga classes. The classes are slow and exploratory. Expect to be on the ground exploring small movement for at least part of the session. This helps to ‘tune in’ to the body, notice sensations, and acknowledge what is present for you.
All sessions emphasise releasing tension and sensing the pull of gravity. Slow is not necessarily easy. It can be challenging to move mindfully, to pay attention. We can learn a lot about ourselves. Each class will be unique albeit with the same principles.
“Yoga will be accepted by the body when it is done without resistance. The wave along the spine is like the melody in music. When the beautiful flow of extension is in action this wave (felt along the magical attraction of gravity) will help the body find the right adjustment in the performance of various movements.”
— Vanda Scaravelli, ‘Awakening the Spine’