by which the individual frees himself from
the burden of the world and its bondage"…
"The teaching of the Shadow Yoga School is based upon the ancient Hatha Yogic texts, which state that all fixed forms should be designed to develop the practice of freestyle.
Freestyle is a necessary step in the cultivation of longevity and enlightenment"...
Sundernath (Shandor Remeté)
Shadow Yoga is a school of Hatha Yoga founded by Sundernath (Shandor Remeté).
Sundernath has been practicing Yoga from the age of six. Shadow Yoga is the culmination of his lifelong studies in Yoga, Martial arts, Kathakali, Bharatanatya, Ayurveda and Siddha systems of Medicine and the application of Varma Kalai.
Through his studies he found that the common principle that was shared by the above traditions /disciplines and which was missing from present day Yoga was the preparatory stage, which is essential for the cultivation of the energetic principles of Yoga, without endangering the beginner student.
"The prelude forms of the Shadow School of Yoga are not a new invention but a resurrection of what is an age-old method of preparing the body, mind and spirit."
This becomes transparent in the way the student is prepared for the long but safe journey of transformation through Shadow Yoga.
The preparatory stage begins with simple repetitive movements, strong leg work and arm co-ordination that induce correct breathing.
Three Preludes/fixed forms have been created to take the beginner, step by step to the asana level and from there to the esoteric practices of Hatha Yoga.
The Preludes are dynamic and progressive in the order mentioned below. It takes 3-7 years of patient daily practice and perseverance to master them before starting the asana-vinyasa practice.
1. Balakrama (stepping into strength)
2. Chaya Yoddha Sancalanam (churning the shadow warrior)
3. Karttikkeya Mandalam (garland of light)
The Prelude forms remove the blockages and help dissolve the habitual patterns that exist in the physical, mental and subtle body. They serve as the stepping stones for the next stages which are:
- Nrtta Sadhana = the pure dance of Lord Shiva
- Individual Asana
- Shatanga = the six limbs (Asana, Pranayama etc)
- Mantra Sadhana = necessary for Pranayama and further esoteric practices
- Taranyali Tridha Dhyanam = The Three Fold Meditation of the Thunder Dragon
An ancient Meditation system revived by Sundernath. Only taught by him and Emma Balnaves.
"Yoga is a spiritual science of practical living".
In this lies the uniqueness of Sundernath's teaching. The ability to decipher and to make application of the most profound yogic texts in a pragmatic and practical way as well as his deep knowledge and love for what he is teaching.
"This intelligence guides me along the yogic path like a flaming torch, dispelling the darkness of ignorance".
Shadow Yoga demo video 1 on YouTube (Emma Balnaves)
Shadow Yoga demo video 2 on YouTube Sundernath (Shandor Remeté)
Shadow Yoga book by Sundernath (Shandor Remeté)
Sundernath (Shandor Remeté) interview video on YouTube
NRTTA SADHANA with Sundernath and Emma, "A visual journey" on vimeo
Shadow Yoga Chaya Yoga
by Sundernath (Shandor Remeté)
108 pages, full colour photos
For more info on Shadow Yoga please visit www.shadowyoga.com