Promoting Health Through Svaroopa® Yoga

The instructors at Aptos Yoga Center are passionate in their desire to introduce and share Svaroopa® Yoga with their community, young and old, in sickness and in health, athletic or not. Why? Because they believe it is a benefit to all, and a cure to many.

The Center was founded by Christine Kalavati Hernandez and Liz Chudala Darling, certified Svaroopa® Yoga teachers. Their journey toward founding the center came from their own search for health and wellness. Svaroopa® Yoga, for them, became a way of life that brought health, and what is more important, joy.

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.

— B.K.S. Ivengar

The instructors at the Center utilize supportive blocks and blankets, shift students’ limbs and bodies, all to provide optimum alignment and ultimate benefits. Students learn and progress at their own pace. This non-athletic form of yoga results in flexibility, but does not require it. Classes begin with Shavasana, a deep relaxation pose, coupled with extensive breathing exercises called ujjayi pranayama. The benefits of Svaroopa® are amazing.

Students have experienced a reduction in stress, deeper relaxation, back pain relief, improved flexibility, improved posture and strength, as well as improved circulation. The over-all health benefits are unique to each student, but many have reported a greater sense of well-being and mental clarity. With so much positive energy emanating from the Center, Christine and Liz are excited for their students, as well as the Center itself.

Aptos Yoga Center announced its new nonprofit status. They are now looking forward to promoting their mission of health to the community through the practices and teachings of Svaroopa® Yoga, as well as conducting research on the healing effects of this unique yoga style.

Founders Hernandez and Darling are enthusiastic about their first project as they undertake case studies of students with medically diagnosed limitations. They will chart, assess and objectively study how the disciplines of Svaroopa® yoga provide relief and/or healing to the students.

“In the past people have given monetary donations, but we’re excited that benefactors will be able to make tax-deductible donations that support discounted fees for students, free introductory programs and community events, such as the one planned in January.” shared Kalavati.

Aptos Yoga Center happens to be the only Svaroopa® Yoga Center on the Central Coast. While the word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “union,” the word Svaroopa® means “The bliss of your own being.” The concept being that this form goes beyond the offerings of traditional yoga, resulting in the kind of joy the founders themselves have experienced, as well as their students.

Maia Madden, former editor of Yoga Journal shared. “Through the guidance of the loving teachers at Aptos Yoga, I have discovered a practice that has improved my physical well being and deepened my connection to all living things. Whether you are seeking to add another dimension to your current practice or want to try yoga for the first time, Svaroopa® will transform your experience of yourself and leave you with a feeling of bliss, freedom and purpose.”

The founders of Aptos Yoga Center have been privileged to see continual growth in their students over the last three years. They look forward to developing the Center’s growing community by offering free monthly introductory Svaroopa® Yoga classes. These hour and a half classes are typically held the second Saturday of the month. Upcoming dates are February 9th, March 9th, April 13th and May 11, each meeting at 9 a.m. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

You’re invited to the Aptos Yoga Center’s Great Celebration! On January 12, the Center will be celebrating, with the Aptos community, their 3rd Anniversary and their new nonprofit status. There will be moments of learning, moments to participate and moments of entertainment.

• At 9 a.m. and again at 11 a.m., the Svaroopa® teachers will be holding an hour long Blissful Basics Svaroopa® Yoga Class, leading the participants into a variety of relaxing and easy poses that release deep tensions. This particular form of yoga quiets the mind, increases flexibility, reduces pain and promotes injury recovery, particularly to the spine. Please sign up for these free classes as space is limited.
• At 1 p.m. There will be a puppet show performed by Kathleen Avalon, “The Tomten,” This fantastical Scandinavian story is about a kindly old troll who serves as protector of a small farm.
• At 2:30 p.m. there will be a Drum Circle led by Jim Greiner, a local percussionist and community drumming pioneer.

For additional information, or to hold a space at one of the free introductory classes mentioned herein, please call 688-1019, or visit their website at aptosyoga.org.

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The Aptos Yoga Center is located at 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd, (Deer Park Center) suite 23 (upper level), Aptos, CA 95003.