Afrikan Yoga- review

Thanks to Phenomenal Healthstyle I recently attended my first session in Afrikan Yoga with Pablo Imani. I didn’t know what to expect but I was excited and open minded. As I walked in Pablo invited me to lie down and place my legs on the wall and slowly open them into straddle splits. I cannot touch my toes and I can no longer do the splits so this exercise right here  revealed how tight and rigid I actually was, a shameful acknowledgement for an ex dancer. I was then instructed to breathe in and out and slowly my legs went further and further as I relaxed into the breath, giving a nice stretch.  However this only happened once my breathing was rectified by Pablo.

   Example of Straddle wall spilts

Breathing is the most natural and important thing as a human being and here I am doing it wrong. When you breathe in, the diaphragm is filled and your stomach pushes out and on the exhale, the diaphragm flattens as the air is expelled, as this diagram demonstrates

I can’t explain what I do, but I don’t do that. I used to be a dancer and I have been trained to hold a particular posture, which involves standing tall and sucking in, Pablo’s technique of breathing reveals the shocking revelation that I have a muffin top! Vanity aside, I have spent the last 27 years of my life not breathing correctly.

Breathing goes beyond a life-sustaining automation. It is among the most simple and important tools we can use to change our mood and raise awareness. Many spiritualists believe that through deep breathing and meditating  you gain a more connected sense of your self, connection with God, insight and clarity. I need to become aware of my bad breathing patterns and consciously change it within each moment, until it becomes natural and beneficial on a holistic level.

The movements were accompanied by the live sound of the Afrikan drum, the smell of incense and the vibration of affirmations. This type of yoga truly resonates with me as I understand the importance of energy, vibrations and words. The whole experience was just what my mind, body and spirit needed. After the session I felt relaxed, energised and awake. Everything felt awake and that night I dreamt a vivid yet surreal dream that could have come straight out of a Salvador Dali painting. The gym is not enough for me, my body needs this as a balance. 

After the class I spoke to Pablo and asked him a few questions

What is Afrikan Yoga?

P:Afrikan Yoga is a brand of Yoga founded by myself Pablo Imani it's foundation is based in Ancient Africa and it's philosophical bases are on the ancient African principles of Maat found in the oldest books in the world. These principles are now found in the Buddhist concepts of Dharma and the Yoga sutras of Patanjali.The postures can be found on the Ancient temple walls of Egypt and is still very relevant today for healing and stress reduction.

How does it differ from other styles?

P: Afrikan Yoga is different from other styles because of it's emphasis on the breath, elements and flowing motion that is characterised in African dance. It really allows one to experience a sense of freedom that is not forced. This particular style promotes naturalness, flexibility calmness, focus, bodily awareness that assists in the management of stress and enhance the nervous system to deal with dis-ease.

In which ways does this technique benefit those who are of African descent?

P: Afrikan Yoga benefits all people as I have had people from all over the world in my classes, often after a session I am approached by participants filled with surprise at it's simplicity  telling me what it's done for them. For those of African descent Afrikan Yoga works on a psycho- spiritual and cellular level that goes much deeper than a few stretches because it creates a connection that would not be otherwise realised.

You use music, incense and affirmations within this technique, why?

P:The drum in Africa held great importance and had many uses; we recognise it mainly for celebration, communication and to provide African warriors the courage and vigour to go into battle. In the case of Afrikan Yoga practice it enthuses the spiritual warrior whose battle is with the lower self. The use of drums is a particular character of Afrikan Yoga as the drum in itself is therapeutic and healing, the drum reminds us of the rhythm and the cyclic nature of all life, the very first instrument we heard in the womb was the drum beat of our mothers heart beat.

The drum invokes nurturing and keeps us in time with ourselves; it carries a message to our innermost being it is a call to be whole. The use of incense is to cleanse the air of negativity and invite good vibrations to be present to our awakening to be present to our work on self and our re-connection. The affirmations work on the premise 'as a man thinketh so is he'.  Affirmations re-affirm our connection and attune the mind and body to the elements and the essence of the universe. I also use sticks, stretch bands, crystals and stones in the practice.

There is a strong spiritual element within your work. How would you describe who you are and your purpose through Afrikan Yoga?

P: I am often unsure how to answer this question because who I am is never fixed, in light of the work I am simply acting as a catalyst for change. My purpose through Afrikan Yoga is to present balance and to promote healing on the planet. I started what is called the Afrikan Yoga Literacy Project which provides yoga, meditation and reading for young people. I work with disadvantage children in Kampala Uganda many of whom do not read or have access to books that will further expand their minds and empower them. I am offering an opportunity for interested ones who would like to be involved to contact me more info is found on the Afrikan Yoga website.

I also provide Afrikan Yoga Safari Retreats with Geolodges Africa, the next one is April 3rd -9th 2012 which is to encourage those who wish to experience the beauty of  Africa, immersed in yogic practice while recharging in luxurious environment. I am open to all who wish to deepen their personal practice and to those wish to have a better understanding of this African technology called Afrikan Yoga.

for more information please visit the site www.afrikanyoga.com and follow  facebook/pabloimani


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3.Holiday Alone: Part 2

© Lisa Bent 2011