San Diego
Devotee Business Fellowship Member

Hatha Yoga Instructor
810 Emerald St. #103, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: (858) 273-2271 • jmbrinkman@sbcglobal.net

Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, ‘Oh Arjuna, if thou art not able to keep thy mind wholly on Me, then seek to attain Me by repeated yoga practice.’ – God talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad-Gita XII:9

Jessica Brinkman teaches hatha yoga as taught by BKS Iyengar. BKS Iyengar has been teaching and practicing the yogic discipline for over 70 years. Through out this time, he has developed a safe and accessible hatha yoga system of asanas (postures) and pranayamas that all people can learn and practice. Check out his website www.bksiyengar.com. (Also see below)

Jessica has studied hatha yoga for 10 years and has been twice to India to study directly with BKS Iyengar and his family. She is also a Kriyaban and has been attending the San Diego Temple for 4 years. She teaches her classes in a clear concise way with sincere enthusiasm and commitment to the yogic path. She believes that the asanas and pranayamas are very valuable to us on our path.

Paramahansa Yogananda says in God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad-Gita, page 544, “By asanas (postures designed to loosen pinched nerves, purify and strengthen the life force, and make the body supple and hardy to withstand long meditation), mudras, control of the life force, chanting, prayers, penetrating the mind and life energy through the seven cerebrospinal centers, concentration on the Infinite, and deep devotion, one can purify the body, mind, and heart to serve as receptacles of the Infinite.”

Yoga asanas are not merely just physical postures, nor is pranayama just based on breath alone. They create in you awareness, vitality, and teach you how to keep your whole body, mind and spirit in tune with each other on a moment to moment basis. Asanas cultivate will power, strength & concentration, and the pranayamas cultivate awareness, sensitivity and vitality.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

Thursday 6:00-7:30 pm
San Diego Yoga Studio, 4134 Napier St. (cross st. Morena Blvd.)

Email Jessica for any questions: jmbrinkman@sbcglobal.net

WHAT IS IYENGAR YOGA?

The Iyengar method can be described as skillful action. Learning through skillful action, the student works along the spectrum of beginner to advanced postures/pranayama while gaining flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit. B.K.S. Iyengar has said that yoga is available to everyone. His system (in addition to 14 books) reflects his desire to share his efforts with others that they may benefit from yoga.

B.K.S. Iyengar has:
• Systematized over 200 classical yoga asanas (postures) and 14 different types of pranayamas (breath control).
• Structured and categorized the asanas/pranayama to ensure steady and safe progression for the student.
• Written 14 books – the most recent, Light on Life (2005) – as guides for students and practitioners of yoga.

ASANA (POSTURES)
The Iyengar approach to asana focuses on three aspects of asana:

Alignment
• Concise, systematic instruction allows the student to perform each pose in an anatomically intelligent way to avoid injury or pain.
• The use of props, as developed by Shri B.K.S. Iyengar, helps correctly position the body in the asanas. Props include wooden blocks, chairs, blankets and belts.

Sequencing
• Classes are conducted with attention to the sequence of postures since they can have a different effect on the mind and body (relaxation, stimulation, etc.) based on the order in which they are performed.
• Mental and emotional effects of the practice can be intensified according to the order of asanas to produce a shift in which the student becomes more aware of the eight limbs of yoga, which promotes the student’s spiritual evolution.

Timing
• Refers to the length of time spent in postures or breath awareness.
• Time varies to intensify the depth and stability of the posture and so extract its benefit.

PRANAYAMA (BREATH AWARENESS)
• Directing the breath (energy) through a series of prolongation and restraint training.
• Physical benefits include toning the circulatory, digestive, nervous and respiratory systems, activating the internal organs and creating a feeling of energy and calm.
• Prepares the individual for the experience of meditation.

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