About The School
St. Augustine’s Lakulish School of Yoga (LSY) is unlike any other Yoga school out there. We teach the classical Ashtanga Yoga system, also known as the “eightfold path of Yoga”.
When many people hear the word Yoga, they think of exercise, posture sequences, and breathing practices. Many have taken Yoga asana classes at the local gym or at home, watching a DVD. While the practices of Yoga can certainly trim one’s wasitline, Yoga is a collection of very powerful tools. As Bapuji says, “we are cutting potatoes with swords” in our society’s current expression of Yoga.
Yoga is a system of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Yoga is the scientific pathway to merge with the Divine, the way to find immortality forever, and the way to be free of sickenss, death, and the bonds of material existance.
At LSY, there are no Teacher Training Programs where you pay high fees to learn the in-depth practices of Yoga and Yoga philosophy. The practices and Yogic way of life are built in to the LSY classes and workshops, for we feel that the practices and the lifestyle work together in order to create Union. They are God’s gift to everyone. No one should have to take special training in order to receive these Divine gifts. Therefore, LSY’s emphasis is not merely on Asanas (postures) and Pranayams (breathing techniques) but on the whole of Yoga.
Yoga is a scientific system comprised of eight parts: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. As a scientific system, it stands up to the scientific method, and just like any scientific system, if a step is missed in the experiment, the whole theory fails. Therefore, Yoga has to unfold in this eight step system in order for Union to happen. This emphasis is what makes Lakulish Yoga so special.
In most Yoga classes, Asana and Pranayama are the main focus, and Yamas and Niyamas are mentioned in passing, if at all. But Yoga is meant to unfold in a step-by-step sequence, and Yamas and Niyamas are the very first (and most important) step. Yamas and Niyamas reform a person’s character, making it possible for the mind to allow the body to properly practice Asanas and Pranayamas without effort and with ease. Yamas and Niyamas are THE keys, THE secrets of Yoga. Without a solid foundation in Yamas and Niyamas, the Asanas, Pranayamas, and the other four parts cannot happen and still be called Yoga.
Lakulish School of Yoga begins its instruction with the Yamas and Niyamas, incorporating Asana and Pranayama, allowing the student to develop a clear understanding. With this approach, the student can really feel that Prana (vital life energy) is theirs. Our students feel they are adding to their spiritual bank accounts, not just performing exercise or receiving a little stress relief and relaxation. Yoga becomes a way of life, energy is built and maintained, and the student feels healthier, happier, energetic, and more at peace and in a state of union. Without the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, all energy gained during the practice of Asana and Pranayama will be wasted by the mind.
Lakulish School of Yoga is dedicated to the teachings of Swami Ashutosh Muniji (”Bapuji”) and our direct lineage of Yoga Masters: Swami Kripalvanandji (”Dadaji”) and Lord Lakulish. It is very rare these days to find a Yoga school that is directly connected to a Yoga lineage of great Masters. Being a part of the LSY Family is a very loving and treasured experience.
The following is taken from LakulishYoga.org:
Bapuji descends from an ancient lineage of yogic masters, each of whom embodies the principles they teach. The founder of the lineage, Lord Lakulish, initiated our grandfather guru, Swami Kripalvananda into the deepest secrets of Kundalini yoga. Before attaining his final liberation, Swami Kripalu passed his knowledge on to our Bapuji (“beloved father”). Thus, the complete knowledge of the yogic path has been preserved by our lineage and remains available to the world.
In our community, we recognize that there is a completely scientific approach to spirituality that is fully supported by the laws governing spiritual evolution. These laws show that human growth and transformation are meant to unfold in the context of a supportive, loving family. Thus, in accordance with these laws, our most basic and central guiding principle is that we are a family in the truest sense of the word. Just as in a biological family, where support and love are given without expecting anything in return, we offer our whole-hearted support and love to each other purely for the sake of doing so, with no other agenda or external motivation. This creates the most suitable environment for the unfoldment of everyone’s spiritual potential.
Family is one of the four basic cornerstones of our spiritual lifestyle, the other three being seeker, scripture, and God. Bapuji teaches that whenever these four come together – and only when they come together – divinity descends and becomes fully available to us. Therefore, you will find these four cornerstones referred to constantly within the community. Truly, to be a member of the ‘Lakulish family’ is to be a supporter of – a person who helps us to connect – the Four Dots.
Seeker refers both to all of the individuals who, at various stages of growth, make up the community and also to the lineage-holding teachers who, through their spiritual practices, embody spiritual law. Without the first type of seeker there is no reason to have a community; without the second type, there is no way for the community to connect the Four Dots and succeed in its purpose.
Scripture refers to all the teachings that come from our lineage-holding teachers, other realized masters, and God. Scriptures can be embodied in many forms, including books, sacred architecture, art, and music. They help us to recognize, appreciate, and apply spiritual laws throughout our journey.
God – Swami Kripalu once said, ‘God is an ocean of love, a mountain of love, an infinitude of love. He does not punish or judge or even know how. He is simply in love – with us.’ Developing our faith in this Infinitude of Love is part of the scientific process of yoga.
The emphasis on the Four Dots is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of our path. The reason for the importance given to them has to do with the difficulties that are encountered along the yogic journey, especially in more advanced stages. It is absolutely essential to cultivate them from the very beginning of the journey, before reaching those advanced stages; otherwise, they will not be available when we need them. For this reason, the Four Dots are the foundation of all that we do – our most important assets on the spiritual journey. They bring us into alignment with the law of spiritual evolution and they even take us beyond the law all the way to the very highest realization.
The following guiding principles help us to keep our focus on connecting the Four Dots:
100% dedication – the Lakulish community is not merely an educational institution of the type where it is considered normal to participate to a limited degree – for example merely to satisfy curiosity, learn a skill, have a social outlet, etc. The very purpose of the community is to create an environment where total dedication comes naturally. We thrive because serving each other is the number one priority of all members. Therefore we ask you to consider carefully whether or not you wish to commit yourself fully here.
We are in love – we do not regulate our behavior with rules. Instead, we allow our behavior to be naturally self-regulated by our love for God and our own true Self. As a result, there is a wonderful harmony that arises spontaneously among us that cannot be created in any other way.
No power, authority, or control – the only “authority” any family member has is to serve and protect other family members; we are completely non-hierarchical and do not exist to serve any commercial interests.
If, after seriously and deeply reflecting on these principles, you feel a strong sense of alignment with them and find that they truly match your own heart and soul’s aspirations, we gladly invite you to pursue further involvement with the Lakulish family.
For more information on Lakulish Yoga, please feel free to contact Urja on the Contact page. Please visit the Classes page for information on group and individual Yoga instruction.
