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Learn more about Shadow Yoga and stay tuned with our latest news and events.
View all blog postsContinuum Yoga Studio in Bend offers a range of introductory classes for beginners and anyone else new to Shadow Yoga, and an integrated curriculum for students with Shadow Yoga experience. Our teaching is rooted in the system of Shadow Yoga created by Sundernath (Shandor Remete) and Emma Balnaves, who continue to impart the principles of yoga to students around the world.
Modern yoga classes include physical postures (asana), breath instruction (pranayama) and sequences of postures linked together (vinyasa) to promote physical health. Shadow Yoga uses similar tools, but with a slightly different purpose. Our preparatory sequences reduce physical restrictions in the body and ignite the central power structure, leaving you freer in your body, grounded in the mind and invigorated in spirit. Some classroom activities may be familiar (sun salutation, for example) and others may be new, as instruction in Shadow Yoga is rooted in the subtle systems of marma, nadi and vayu. Shadow Yoga also includes circular activity -- not commonly found in other systems -- to help liberate the spine and direct energy to the nervous system. Students report this is what they love about Shadow Yoga: attention to the underlying forces that influence mind, body and spirit.
"Angie is always ready to meet her students where they are in their practice. My path has not been fast or linear, but I know that she is always there for me. She is a teacher In every sense of the word. Shadow yoga is a way of life, embodied by Angie (Lakshmi) and her teachers. She is truly inspiring. I know my life is better having studied with her, and i will continue to do so."
Learn more about Shadow Yoga and stay tuned with our latest news and events.
View all blog postsMula Bandha, or "root lock," is often taught as a physical contraction at the pelvic floor, but its influence extends far beyond muscle engagement. When practiced with awareness, it becomes a powerful gateway to deeper energetic, psycho-emotional, and mental facility within the organism. Activating this bandha not only supports physical stability but also cultivates a sense of grounding, resilience and clarity. Energetically, engaging mula bandha directs prana (life force) upward, and seals the vessel of the body to conserve that life force. Mentally, it fosters focus and discipline, while emotionally, it can help deepen our connection to self. By expanding our understanding of Mula Bandha, we step into a more integrated practice—one that harmonizes body, mind, and energy. In this article, we explore how this subtle yet profound technique can enhance your yoga journey on multiple levels.
A brief summary of Yin Yoga and how it is similar to, and different from, the more vigorous, progressive system of Shadow Yoga. Written by a long-time student and teacher of Shadow Yoga, Angie Norwood, who teaches Shadow Yoga in Bend, Oregon.