A Focus on Jivamukti Yoga’s Five Tenets Presentation

1. A Focus on JivamuktiA Focus on Jivamukti
Yoga’s Five TenetsYoga’s Five Tenets

2. Founded in the 1980s by experienced
practitioners Sharon Gannon and David Life
and based on their combined studies with well-
known gurus, Jivamukti yoga is a variety of the
flowing vinyasa form. In addition to its
education in asanas, or postures, performed in
sequence, Jivamukti yoga devotes significant
focus to five core spiritual tenets based on
ancient ethical beliefs.

3. Jivamukti yoga centers its teachings in the
traditional meaning of the Sanskrit word
“asana,” defined as “connection.” Sanskrit as a
language and Indian spiritual philosophy in
general play key roles in Jivamukti practice. In
Jivamukti yoga, instructors emphasize
enhancing a student’s connection to the earth
and all living beings, which leads naturally to
the practice of vegetarianism and respect for
animals.

4. This overarching perspective results in the five
tenets, which Jivamukti teachers are expected
to personally embody. There is no particular
order in which students must incorporate these
tenets. Teachers present all of them in “open”
class sessions, with the anticipation that
students will come to incorporate them into
their own bodies, souls, and minds as guiding
principles.

5. Ahimsa refers to the establishment of a
nonviolent life, with compassion for one’s fellow
beings of all species and the adoption of a
vegetarian lifestyle.

6. Bhakti uses chanting and other practices of
devotion to connect with an awareness of the
divine spirit within and outside oneself.

7. Dhyana is a form of meditative practice
designed to help a student gain access to the
immutable reality inside him or herself.

8. Nada makes use of verbal expressions,
recorded music, or even complete silence, to
foster the deep listening skills that can
strengthen both body and mind.

9. Finally, Shastra focuses on learning ancient
scriptures in depth as an intellectual route to
spiritual growth.

10. Finally, Shastra focuses on learning ancient
scriptures in depth as an intellectual route to
spiritual growth.