Yoga Philosophy
Fascial Yoga
Fascia is the richly innervated support system that shapes and forms the human body. It covers everything within us. When we move with slow, subtle movements and stay below our maximum flexibility - pausing at the first sign of restriction - we begin to explore the places where nerves, arteries, old scar tissue and ligamentous structures are bound. They are bound in these fascial layers which limits our range of motion. Most yoga and other forms of exercise rush past this opportunity to open the facial layers and instead, the facia tightens causing stress on the joints and muscles until we quit with pain. But exploring these restrictions, which takes patience & kindness, has the potential of opening the door to living more comfortably in these bodies. In this style of yoga, we do not focus on becoming flexible or building bulky strong muscles but on hydrating and repairing the joints with excellent alignment and compressive forces. This builds a natural strength as we reintroduce movements that nature intended.
Another unique element of this style of yoga is the way in which the nervous system is addressed. We shape the body into a relaxing pose and then ask for some stress, such as a strongly flexed foot or a contracted fist, as we deeply relax everything else; our face, our clenched buttocks, even our esophagus. We apply intensity rather than aggression. This trains the nervous system to recruit only necessary muscles to make the motion, which has an overall effect of training the central nervous system towards calmness and quieting of the mind.
We practice our yoga with the eyes closed most of the time to limit visual input. If the mind is too active, students can keep the eyes open while using a soft peripheral vision which can clam the mind as well. Students are encouraged to pay attention to sensations within the body - not outside of us - to slow down enough to identify how we feel and not judge all sensations as pain. We slowly work with these sensations to reframe “pain” as we drop the story lines around “old injuries” and begin to heal. Quality of life increases when your body begins to trust and knows you’re listening.
We intelligently use the floor, walls, and the forces of gravity to counter the impact of our busy lives, the process of aging and old injuries that haunt us.
Folks of all sizes, shapes, ages and abilities are welcome. If you’ve never done yoga before or have an attitude of dislike towards yoga, you’ll come to love this fascial approach. Melanie provides a safe and supportive environment to learn.
All props; yoga mats, bolsters, straps and blocks are provided.
No special clothing is required - just being comfortable.
See you on the mat!
Francisco Kaiut, The Man Behind the Method
The Kaiut Method is a biomechanical yoga practice designed by Francisco Kaiut to serve the modern body and the modern mind. This format is intended to increase freedom of movement. Francisco Kaiut’s method is deeply influenced by his professional practice as a chiropractor and his education in craniosacral and polarity therapies, deep tissue massage, and hatha yoga. Francisco is President of the Kaiut Yoga group, the teacher in charge of the didactic direction of 18 schools between Brazil and the USA. Yoga for Everyone!
For more information go to Kauityoga.com