Online Classes – Santosha Yoga

Preparing the altar before class is such a grounding, intentional ritual—itcompletely sets the energy for the room before a single student even steps onto their Mat. In Jivamukti Yoga, the altar isn’t just decoration; it is a physical manifestation of Bhakti (devotion)and Nada (sacred sound/vibration), two of the core tenets established by co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life.The Anatomy of a Jivamukti AltarWhile every teacher brings their own personal devotion to their space, atraditional Jivamukti altar usually weaves together several essential elements:The Lineage (Guru Parampara): You will almost always see photographs of teachers from the lineage honouring them as a way of passing the teachings down through generations Deities & Archetypes: Statues or pictures of deities like Krishna, Ganesha, Shiva, or Hanuman are placed to represent specific cosmic energies, intentions, or spiritual lessons.The Five Elements:• Earth: Fresh flowers or crystals.• Water: A small, clean bowl of water.• Fire: A lit candle or lamp (Aarati),symbolizing the light of knowledgeAir/Ether: Burning incense (Dhupa), which purifies the air and carries prayers upward.Why the Ritual MattersTaking those quiet moments to light the incense, arrange the plants , and adjust the photos is a practice of mindfulness in action.It shifts the teacher’s mindset from the busyness of daily life into a state of selfless service – seva . When the students walk in, that visual focal point (Drishti)immediately signals to their nervous system that they are entering a sacred, safe container separate from the outside world. It reminds everyone that the physical asana practice we are about to do is ultimately atool to connect to something much deeper . I believe it’s an enjoyable and sacred practice .. #jivamukticambridgeschool #jivamukticambridge #cambridgeyogateacher #jivamuktiyoga #altar
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