Charleston now a Jivamukti anchor

6th center in world for hatha yoga method

6th center in world for hatha yoga method

Jivamukti yoga instructors Andrea Boyd and Jeffrey Cohen put Charleston on the yoga map, in regards to an internationally recognized form of hatha yoga, when they moved here three years ago and opened Satsang Yoga Center near the S.C. Aquarium.

Last month, their studio was approved to become an official Jivamukti yoga center, the first in the United States outside of New York and sixth in the world (others are in Toronto, London and Munich). They also changed the name to Jivamukti Yoga Charleston.

Boyd and Cohen, who met in New York while studying Jivamukti yoga, will celebrate the honor with a weekend of festivities, including yoga classes taught by Jivamukti founders Sharon Gannon and David Life, on Feb. 8-10. Registration for those three-hour classes, which cost $60, is under way now. Early registration is recommended at www.jivamukti yogasc.com.

"They (Gannon and Life) are two of the most influential, living yoga masters in the world right now," says Boyd.

The grand-opening weekend will kick off Feb. 8 with a book signing by Kris Carr, author and filmmaker of "Crazy, Sexy, Cancer," 1:45-2:45 p.m., and a gala at 7 p.m. While the gala is free, donations for the Charleston Animal Society will be collected.

Though Gannon and Life have come to Charleston to teach, this will be the first time they will be here together.

"David and I have always envisioned Jivamukti yoga reaching the far corners of the world, and we travel often to encourage it," says Gannon. "We are overjoyed that Jivamukti is available in the South, and happy that Jeffrey and Andrea are sharing these very radical teachings with the students at Jivamukti Yoga Charleston."

Jivamukti's student list has included some fairly high-profile people, including Sting, Christy Turlington, Russell Simmons, Willem Dafoe and Donna Karan. Locally, "Army Wives" star Kim Delaney, among other notable visitors in Charleston, have taken classes.

Boyd and Cohen say Jivamukti may differ from some mainstream yoga classes in that it emphasizes spirituality.

Classes consists of vinyasa (flowing asana sequences), hands-on adjustments, pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, Sanskrit chanting, yoga philosophy and deep relaxation. To keep the practice unanticipated, asana sequences are ever-changing. Uplifting and inspirational music from Krishna Das to Michael Franti plays an integral role in classes.

Jivamukti means "liberation while living" and is taken from the Sanskrit term, Jivanmukti, which describes a state of enlightenment or God realization that is the ultimate aim of the practice.