| Mo | |
|---|---|
| Tu | |
| We | |
| Th |
|
| Fr | |
| Sa |
|
| Su |
There will be no classes at The Place on:
July 24th
July 31st
August 14th
All of Yogamonks is founded on the quest to actualize a simple equation. To me, the practice of yoga is to simply juxtapose two opposing forces so to reveal the third originating force. This ‘third’ force is consciousness, God, or the realization of ones within, but not of, form. For instance, if we take this Earth as down and the Heavens as up, we as living beings are all natural yogi’s within this Gravitational field. We are the living examples within a space in which these two forces play and originate (or at least have the opportunity to be experienced within our individual consciousness).
I fully understand and appreciate the irony that regardless of any perceived personal effort, ‘yoga’ is forever always naturally occurring. However it has been the quest of many individuals to lay down how they have glimpsed or realised this yoga.
This method is one proving itself within many bodies as one in which ‘union’, oneness or yoga is, experienced.
The aim of the practice is simple; to cultivate within the individual a centre from which they experience their world, then gradually encourage the dominance of the ‘you’ at the centre to be dropped for another centre outside of them. Or, as my teacher says, “forget self and join with other” (Master Mark Raudva). With time and patience the experience of a ‘you’ alongside ‘another’ shows the force that lies between. This is where we find the yoga of the heart and after this, nothing else matters.
Jonathan Monks
Yogamonks teachers
Coming soon
am this man. That I cannot deny. Through me this work continues to change. I have always been blessed with an urge to realize truths within me. My earliest memory of this is awaking to the revelation of having ears.
There is nothing special to my story. My mother tells me that at five and a half months I started crawling, very fast apparently. The urge to move continued with a request for some free weights at age 8. I received a set of dumbbells that belonged to a great, great, great Grandfather aged 10. The next 8 years were filled with many physical activities, none of which though proved to feel natural nor provide a sense of home in my body. The constant during this time was a desire to train. Aged 18 I began the study of Tai Chi during which time I began teaching myself yoga from an Iyengar book by Silva,Mira & Shyam Metha. Then in 1995 I taught myself ‘Power Yoga’ from Berol Bender Birch’s then revolutionary book. 9 years of ‘Power’ searching followed with no real teacher, though I must thank Gingi Lee for his guidance through the 2nd/3rd series. I began teaching in 2000 and during this time the excessive physical tensions I’d been using in my practice invited me through major injury to repent my former practices and find a more nourishing approach. Ironically, this change happened just as I became a ‘successful’ e.g. popular teacher in 2001.
In total I have had around 20 years daily ‘yoga’ styled self-practice. I have been a teacher of different subjects all my life, but of yoga for the last 10.
Kriyaji is my Teacher. A realized Master of Kriya yoga, her very existence is a blessing to my life and in such to all those I now meet. She has given me a real practice, the very thing I required to gain my ultimate desire of becoming a real boy.
3 years ago I began Yang style Tai Chi with Master Mark Raudva and Caroline Ross. Together have transformed everything within my life, the practice and the work. My thanks go to Grand Master Dr John Kells for without his pioneering work into primordial boxing this method would not have the foundations it has.