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Learn more about Shadow Yoga and stay tuned with our latest news and events.
View all blog postsShadow Yoga is a practice of internal cultivation which uses physical, mental and energetic techniques rooted in early yogic principles. Like martial arts, Shadow Yoga offers a progressive system of learning starting with classes termed Shadow Yoga I. These beginner-level classes introduce yoga as a complete system of personal development, build strength and mobility in the body and help the individual establish patience and persistence for the journey ahead.
Sign up for a class todayThe term “shadow” in Shadow Yoga refers to the different layers we identify with as humans including the physical, emotional, intellectual and intuitive layers. While each layer serves an important purpose for living in the world, attachment at any one of them can create obstructions to living a more free, unencumbered life. Shadow Yoga helps reveal these obstructions and gives us the tools to work through them in support of the inward journey. Find more information on the Shadow Yoga website.
Shadow Yoga’s founder, Shandor Remete, was destined for the path of yoga from a young age. He studied with exceptional teachers in the fields of yoga, Classical Indian dance and martial arts. In that process, he discovered introductory sequences which prepared an individual for the rigors of practice, a stage of development that was missing from contemporary schools of yoga. To fill that gap, he created preparatory sequences for yoga termed preludes, and traveled the world teaching them with his partner and co-founder, Emma Balnaves.
Emma Balnaves is an internationally respected teacher of the traditional forms and philosophies of Hatha Yoga and has been teaching yoga since 1995. She was first introduced to yoga in her early teens, and studied various forms of creative and visual arts before committing herself to a life of teaching. In 2019 she completed her first film, Agniyogana, and is currently working on a new film project, Pure Dance.
Shadow Yoga is for anyone interested in developing strength, stamina, mobility and overall function in the body, as well as learning about deeper aspects of practice which have largely been omitted from the modern classroom. The principles of Shadow Yoga can be employed by people of many backgrounds and abilities, and often appeal to those with an interest in martial arts, dance, meditation or other internal practices such as tai chi or qi gong. We are a broad community of public school teachers, tradespeople, parents, artists, military veterans, bodyworkers, baristas, remote workers, business people and entrepreneurs, all seeking to improve our lives through the wisdom of yoga. If you have a serious medical condition, please consult with your doctor and the teacher before taking a class. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
The teacher-student relationship is of central importance in Shadow Yoga. Shadow Yoga teachers possess an intimate understanding of the material because they have stood in the fire of their own teacher, struggled with unfamiliar concepts and integrated learning through lived experience. They are students first and foremost and prioritize daily personal practice (sadhana), a discipline which has faded amidst an environment of commercial success. Shadow Yoga teachers have decades of experience and their deep grasp of the material enables them to teach small, digestible steps that build confidence and mastery in their students over time.
At its core, yoga is a system of spiritual growth that involves conditioning the body, stabilizing the mind and awakening intuitive wisdom. This cannot be achieved through quick, superficial work but must be approached patiently, with honesty and humility. In Shadow Yoga the work begins in the body, to free physical obstructions and ignite the central power structure. With energy freely circulating, attention can be directed toward deeper layers of the mind, the subtle body and better function of the internal winds. Good physical health and fitness is important, but should not be confused with the underlying goal of yoga, which relates to personal development of the individual.
The compound word vi-nyasa means “wisdom” plus “placement,” while krama means “to step.” Combined, the term vinyasa krama implies an intelligent, systematic order of learning, a process of self-cultivation that cannot be rushed. One must proceed slowly, starting at the beginning, acknowledging and accepting the situation where one starts. The principle of vinyasa krama is built into the Shadow Yoga curriculum, meaning the teaching follows a natural progression. This approach requires patience and persistence, cultivating progress without damaging the container of the body. This is one way we uphold the tradition of ahimsa or non-harming.
At Continuum Yoga Studio in Bend, we teach to students, not customers. We intentionally create an environment conducive to learning, where the age-old wisdom of yoga is available to any sincere seeker. We know that trying new things can be uncomfortable and strive to create an atmosphere of patience, humor and compassion. Not everything you learn in Shadow Yoga will be familiar or congratulatory, but most things can be adapted to the individual without sacrificing potency. We grow when we step outside our comfort zone (tapas), a process that often leads to great change.
After participating in our drop-in classes (Shadow Yoga I) many students will progress to learn the sequences of Shadow Yoga termed preludes. The preludes are best learned in a course format, where you attend the same weekly class for 8-10 weeks. Whether you choose a course, stick with drop-in classes or try the Individual Asana (IA) sessions, making a commitment to your practice will bear many fruits over time.
Our growing community of practitioners creates a warm, non-competitive environment. We all have our share of challenges, victories and existential anguish, and have found Shadow Yoga to be a reliable source of stability and inspiration. There is no hierarchy based on physical ability or performance in the classroom, and each student works to their own capacity. Your efforts are important, regardless of what anyone else in the room is doing.
Shadow Yoga classes go beyond guided practice and weave aspects of ancient wisdom into every session. Physical activity improves the strength and function of the body, but you’ll also learn to cultivate the higher mind (buddhi) and understand the subtle anatomical systems of marma, nadi and vayu. We help you build your toolbox through a combination of lecture-style learning, interactive classroom experience and time for reflection and discussion.
While the deeper benefits of yoga accrue over time, most students feel more grounded and energized after just one class. Consistent participation improves stamina, strength and mobility, and creates a sense of internal referencing and empowerment. As physical function improves, the mind becomes calm and we are better attuned to the internal world.
I am so grateful to have found Continuum Yoga here in Bend. I have taken yoga classes on and off since my 20s, but have never experienced classes as fulfilling as I have with Angie. This school of yoga, based on traditional Hatha Yoga, uses an approach that allows any of us to find that depth, meaning, and consistency; it is the most inclusive practice I have ever encountered. To top it off, the people that attend classes are the most amazing, friendly, supportive souls.
Learn more about Shadow Yoga and stay tuned with our latest news and events.
View all blog postsView our new yoga class offerings as of January 2023. Find out more about updates to our offerings this year and sign up for a class that interests you.
The Balakrama, or "Step to Strength," is the first series learned in the Shadow Yoga system. Find out more about the Balakrama and Shadow Yoga at Continuum.