Yoga can be considered as the oldest 'recorded' form of exercise in the young history of Homo sapiens. Its origins can be traced back to c. sixth and fifth centuries BCE.
Some historians even put the date as far back as the Vedic age, where references to yoga could be found in the ancient Indian text viz. the Rig Veda. In other words, yoga preceded the Buddha. No wonder He was so taken in by this discipline that aims to straddle the spiritual, mental and physical realms.
Many residents incorporate yoga into their daily routines, whether through morning stretches, meditation breaks, or participation in community yoga events. The principles of yoga, including ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), and seva (selfless service), are woven into the fabric of Madurai's social and cultural ethos.
Madurai is home to the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, a revered pilgrimage site dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi. Within the temple complex, yoga has been practiced for centuries as a means of spiritual purification and devotion. Devotees often engage in pranayama (breath control), meditation, and asana practice as part of their worship rituals.
Yoga in Madurai is not just an individual pursuit but also a communal endeavor. Community yoga classes, events, and festivals bring people together to practice, share experiences, and celebrate the transformative power of yoga. These gatherings foster a sense of unity, belonging, and mutual support among Madurai's diverse population.
In essence, yoga in Madurai serves as a bridge between the city's ancient heritage and modern aspirations, offering a pathway to spiritual awakening, holistic health, and harmonious living. As Madurai continues to evolve, yoga remains a timeless tradition that nourishes body, mind, and soul, enriching the lives of its inhabitants and preserving its cultural legacy for generations to come.
Here is a comprehensive guide to yoga courses in India.
Tracing the Evolutionary Journey of Yoga in India
The history of yoga is conventionally categorized into four eras or periods by scholars across the ages.
- Pre-Classical Yoga is believed to have been developed during the age of the great Indus Valley civilization five millennia before our time. That's what we call old!
- Classical Yoga, also called Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is often recognized as the first codified body of knowledge on the theories and practice of yoga.
- Post-Classical Yoga focuses on a way of life that encourages people to live in the moment instead of worrying unduly about liberation etc.
- Modern Yoga is the last and the contemporary phase of yoga. This was developed in the late 1800s and has been in vogue ever since.
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The yogic tradition has evolved primarily out of a few primitive forms of yoga.
Karma Yoga
This is one of the oldest arm of the yogic tradition. Karma Yoga aims to focus on spiritual liberation. For this reason, it is also called Karma Marga. It is believed to have its roots in the Bhagavad Gita.
Jnana Yoga
This is the oldest form of yoga and like Karma yoga, it also focuses on the spiritual journey of the yogi.
Bhakta Yoga
Another arm of yoga with roots in the Bhagavad Gita, Bhakti Yoga or Bhakti Marga focuses on loving devotion towards the divinities in the Hindu pantheon such as Krishna, Radha, Ganesha, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva etc.
Mantra Yoga
As the name suggests, Mantra Yoga uses chanting of mantras so as to enable the yogi to move into a deeper level of consciousness.
Raja Yoga
This form of yoga is practised by those who want to achieve complete control over their mind and emotions. In other words, Raja Yoga teaches self-discipline.
Know Your Yoga
Before deciding to enrol yourself into a yoga studio or online yoga classes near me or appoint your very own private yoga trainer in Madurai, it is advisable to learn and understand the different forms of yoga. They serve different purposes.
Hatha Yoga
This gentle form of yoga is most ideal for beginners who are looking to improve their body's flexibility and balance.
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Beginner courses in yoga start with lessons in Hatha yoga | Source: Visualhunt
Vinyasa Yoga
Also known as power yoga, this form of yoga is ideal for those who are looking to lose bodyweight.
‘Surya Namaskar’ is a popular form of vinyasa yoga.
Iyengar Yoga
This form of yoga is recommended for those with chronic pain in their muscles and joints. Iyengar yoga is designed to help strengthen both.
Bikram Yoga
This is the best-suited yoga for improving body flexibility.
Kundalini
An amalgamation of different breathing exercises, chanting and physical movements, Kundalini yoga is more spiritual in nature, helping you to relax.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is an advanced form of yoga that includes physically intense poses and exercises.
Prenatal Yoga
It is exactly what it says! Designed for pregnant women and combining exercises and breathing techniques, prenatal yoga aims to reduce health risks during the critical prenatal stage of pregnancy.
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How To Find Yoga Teachers Near Me in Madurai
Now that you have gone through Yoga Basics 101, it is time for you to explore yoga classes near me.
The ancient city of Madurai dotted with its colourful gopurams (gateway towers) offers a beautifully serene and relaxed environment for yoga practitioners.
We have just the right pointers to get you started on your journey of self-discovery through the practice of yoga!
Superprof India
To find yoga teachers in Madurai on Superprof, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the Superprof Website: Go to the Superprof website (superprof.com) or use the Superprof app.
- Search for Yoga Teachers in Madurai: Use the search bar on the homepage and type in "Yoga" as the subject and "Madurai" as the location.
- Browse Listings: You'll be presented with a list of yoga teachers available in Madurai. You can browse through their profiles to see their qualifications, teaching experience, rates, and reviews from other students.
- Filter Results: Use the filters provided to narrow down your search based on criteria such as teaching level, price range, teaching method (online or in-person), and more.
- Contact Teachers: Once you've found a yoga teacher whose profile matches your requirements, you can contact them directly through the Superprof platform. You can send them a message to inquire about their availability, teaching approach, and any other questions you may have.
UrbanPro
UrbanPro is inarguably the largest online platform in India, connecting students and tutors through a trusted web portal.
It has gradually grown to become a reliable one-stop learning partner for a majority of Indians. Boasting of over 6.5 lakh Verified Tutors, Trainers and Institutes, UrbanPro has become a go-to platform for more than 25 lakh students, parents and professionals.
UrbanPro caters to the needs of students and tutors across 1000+ learning categories, yoga being one of them.
Browse and compare multiple tutor profiles and choose the ones best suited to your learning needs.
Sign up at the most suitable yoga courses for you in Pune or Bengaluru.
Yoga Course Fees Structure in Madurai
The fees for yoga courses in Madurai can vary depending on several factors, including the type of course, duration, level of instruction, and the reputation of the institution or instructor. Here's a general overview of the range you might expect:
- Basic Yoga Classes: For beginner-level group classes offered by local yoga studios or community centers, the fees can range from ₹500 to ₹1000 per session.
*depends on the teacher and location.
- Intermediate and Advanced Courses: As you progress to intermediate and advanced levels, the fees may increase, ranging from ₹1000 to ₹3000 per month, depending on the intensity and frequency of classes.
- Private Lessons: Private yoga sessions typically cost more than group classes due to personalized attention and tailored instruction. Fees for private lessons in Madurai can range from ₹1000 to ₹3000 per session, depending on the instructor's experience and expertise.
- Yoga Teacher Training Courses (YTTC): Yoga teacher training programs are more comprehensive and therefore tend to be more expensive. Fees for YTTC in Madurai can range from ₹20,000 to ₹1,00,000 or more for a 200-hour certification course, depending on the school, curriculum, and facilities provided.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, founded in 1957, is a non-profit organisation that prides itself in propagating the authentic yogic teachings as well as the teachings encoded in the Vedanta.
Their message is simple - change yourself before trying to change the world. This is the basic tenet of all forms of yoga.
Yoga Courses on Offer
The Institute has specially curated courses for individual learners as it recognizes the unique learning needs of each.
The Open Class
Available on a drop-in basis, this course can be availed once the Beginners’ Course (Yoga 1) has been completed. The course includes the practice of Pranayama, Surya namaskar, the twelve classical basic postures and deep relaxation.
Duration: 1 month
Fee: INR 1500
Free Trial Yoga Class
Get introduced to the life-changing world of yoga and learn about the Sivananda-style yoga practice.
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Yoga 1: Beginners’ Course
This is a basic course designed in a relaxed setting. The course focuses on the development of strength, flexibility, good breathing, concentration and relaxation.
Duration: 4 weeks (20 classes)
Fee: INR 3000
Kids’ Yoga
A course specifically designed for the little ones to enable them to develop better coordination, flexibility, strength and confidence. It also helps to increase levels of concentration, memory as well as self-awareness. The course includes basic yoga asasans, breathing exercises, meditation, chanting and spiritual storytelling. It is a fun-filled course open to children aged between 7 and 12 years.
Duration: 8 sessions
Fee: INR 2000
SARVA
SARVA is a community of fitness enthusiasts who are also explorers of the world of yoga. They have developed 25 unique and comprehensive forms of Yoga, operating out of meticulously designed yoga studios.
SARVA aims to help you integrate personal wellness and personal wellbeing into your daily routine, through the practice of yoga.
The Five Sense Rule
SARVA courses follow a simple five-step rule, based on the five senses that guide us.
Sound
With the aid of soft background music, SARVA yoga trainers endeavour to uplift their students' mood so that they receive the instruction more openly.
Sight
Soothing shades of blue and green are usually used to light up the learning space. They reflect calmness even if the physical activities during classes get intense.
Smell
SARVA studios use aromatherapy to help students relax their minds and bodies.
Touch
Grass mats line the path leading up to the studio. This is intended to stimulate blood flow to the students' feet for the asanas to follow later.
Kinesthesis
Asanas and postures taught during classes are intended to stimulate blood flow across the body and to help improve the strength and flexibility of muscles and bones.
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The Art of Living
Now a global phenomenon, The Art of Living is a non-profit organization with a presence across 156 countries. The organizational philosophy of "a stress-free mind and a violence-free society" attracts followers from all walks of life.
Art of Living Courses in Madurai
The Art of Living has a variety of courses on offer that is designed to eliminate stress and foster the growth of inner peace.
All these courses commonly include breathing exercises or Pranayamas, meditation, yoga, and instruction in practical wisdom for daily living.
Happiness Program
The program is a combination of powerful breathing techniques and practical wisdom.
Sahaj Samadhi Meditation
This program teaches the secret to effortless meditation that further enable the achievement of clarity of thought and improved nutrition.
Sri Sri Yoga
The ideal course to attain physical well-being and mental and spiritual uplifting.
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