Shakti Yoga Studio

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Shakti Yoga Studio

In a quiet neighborhood in Metz, the Shakti Cultural Educational Association, where shakti in Sanskrit is the feminine energy, began its activity in 2006, creating the Shakti Yoga Studio, a simple and spare space that stands out for its authenticity and dedication to study and yoga practice. Shakti Yoga Studio is the creation of Christos Pavlos and Charitos Lyronis, two dedicated students who found themselves walking along the same path of the age-old philosophy and ancient art of yoga and after many years of practice, rigorous training and demanding exams have been certified in the Iyengar method.
Christos Pavlou has been teaching for 20 years in Athens, while he recently founded the Iyengar Yoga Center Sofia (http://iyengaryogasofia.com/) in the capital of Bulgaria and now divides his teaching between Athens and Sofia. His name, his simple and unobtrusive presence, his very energy, but even more so his teaching, his ethos and his willingness to impart his knowledge are a guarantee of the quality of Shakti Yoga Studio's classes. Harris Lyroni, the feminine energy of the studio is a dedicated yogini who faithfully follows her personal path of search alongside her teacher and mentor.
There are many ways to approach yoga and different genres one can follow, depending on one's preferences and temperament. But whichever path one takes, yoga is ONE, the goal is ONE, common: union of body, spirit and mind with the radiance of the soul.
At Shakti Yoga Studio we follow the path of Iyengar Yoga. Classes are delivered daily, covering all levels, with sections for beginners and more experienced, yoga for children but also for older people or people who have never exercised, while once a month a seminar is held for teachers and more experienced students. The studio is also active in other areas such as Indian philosophy and Sanskrit language courses, free lectures and screenings around Indian philosophy and culture, inviting teachers from abroad, translations of selected yoga books, etc.
** Authentic Iyengar Yoga is taught exclusively by certified teachers. The teachers at Shakti Yoga Studio hold the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification Badge, a badge of excellence, clarity and deep understanding. To have the right to use this logo they have been thoroughly trained and maintain their level.

Iyengar Yoga

In the Iyengar method the student is taught yoga through the deep study of asanas (postures, body positions) and pranayama (breath control and lengthening). The founder of the method B.K.S. Iyengar systematized over 200 classical asanas and 14 different types of pranayama – with many variations, from the simplest to the extremely difficult. He structured and categorized them so that a beginner, as he gains flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit, can progress confidently and safely from the basic exercises to the more advanced ones.

What distinguishes Iyengar yoga from other styles?

In summary, one could say that the Iyengar method differs from other yoga styles in 3 main elements: technique, sequence and duration. The technique is taught with an emphasis on the precision of each movement, so that with practice the individual makes increasingly subtle corrections in alignment and correct posture while performing the asanas and pranayama. Sequence refers to the order in which asanas and pranayama are performed. For example, by changing the order of the asanas, the effects of the exercise on a mental and emotional level can be greatly intensified, ultimately bringing about changes in the whole being and its development in every area. Duration refers to the time spent in asanas or pranayama. Stances cannot be performed quickly or mechanically. It takes time to get into an asana and be able to stabilize in it. When this is achieved, then it can remain for an even longer period of time, delving even deeper into its essence and drawing its benefits to the maximum. After all this, one can see how Iyengar yoga cultivates all eight stages of yoga and how far it is from "mere exercise" and "deep breathing". Through practice and understanding, the practitioner realizes that asana is as different from stretching and gymnastics as pranayama is from simple, deep breathing and deep self-concentration from self-hypnosis. Prolonged practice of asana and pranayama has a positive effect on a person both mentally and spiritually, as well as physically.