What is Evolutionary Yoga?

     Evolutionary yoga sprang forth from the evolutionary impulse calling for a framework, set of practices, and orientation towards healing and growth that includes all the wisdom from spiritual wisdom traditions, Integral philosophy, and contemporary psychology. At its essence, Evolutionary Yoga is the path of the spiritual warrior. As it is being used, spiritual warriorship is not about “wellness-based” spirituality, rather it is an opening to what is and fully showing up as your authentic expression. Chogyam Trunga states...

         “The challenge of warriorship is to step out of the cocoon, to step out into space, by     

          being brave and at the same time gentle. You can expose your wounds and flesh, your

          sore points. You can be completely raw and exposed with your husband or your wife,

          your banker, your landlord, anyone you meet.”

          excerpted from Shambala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, p. 156

     By remaining open and vulnerable to life, by saying YES to what is presented in front of you, the barriers to loving self and other are diminished and real healing and transformation can occur. This path is for individuals and groups that are ready to step forth and become accountable for their happiness, destiny fulfillment, and spiritual growth.

     We are all called from an evolutionary magnet towards our unique pathway of unfolding. By holding some orienting perspectives to spiritual/life practice, relationships, service and/or livelihood, and offering a cohesive and customized approach to psychological healing and spiritual development, Evolutionary Yoga is a turning of the wheel of spirituality.

     There are 5 basic pillars of Evolutionary Yoga, each are named and briefly described below...

Pillar 1: Primary Focus is Awakening

        Awakening to greater degrees of consciousness is our primary focus because we can serve in an

        unconditional and clear way when stabilize our consciousness towards a non-dual state.

Pillar 2: Spiritual Warriorship

        To use all of this reality for the means of healing and awakening. Relationships, work,

        psychological suffering, meditation, etc. can all be utilized as a vehicle for healing and

        transformation. The Integral Bodhisattva is an updated version of the spiritual warrior that

        forgoes full enlightenment until all beings are free of suffering drawing from the most profound

        and evolved practices, orientation towards life, and spiritual technologies that all of history thus

        far has to offer.

Pillar 3: Intentional and Comprehensive Life Practice

        We have available to us a buffet of healing and growth technologies. By sampling all that

        existence has to offer, we often lose the depth that staying with a few specific practices that are

        intentionally chosen. We offer a way to create a recipe of healing and transformation that is

        catered to your individual past, typological preferences, goals for transformation, core beliefs,

        life circumstances, karma, etc.

Pillar 4: Trans-Duality

        In an evolutionary context, non-duality does not mean a type of oneness that somehow denies

        the existence of duality. Rather, the type of non-duality we speak about and teach fully includes

        both non-duality and duality into a a single sphere of perpetual creativity and emergence.

Pillar 5: Be Love

        Psychological integration and spiritual development work enable our way of being to be healing

        towards self and others in all situations. When we are tired, hungry, stressed out, etc., there is

        still a ground of joy and the capacity to relate to others and the world from a place of love

        undisturbed by transient experiences of discomfort. This equanimity and compassion arise due

        to an evolving regular practice and the degree of development one has cultivated.

How can I experience Evolutionary Yoga?

     There are many mediums that can convey the essence and experience of Evolutionary Yoga. Currently Mike is teaching regular classes in Berkeley at both Hatha Yoga Shala of the East Bay and 4th Street Yoga. See the right side of this page for all information.

     We are currently working on different mediums to experience Evolutionary Yoga including workshops, workshop series, retreats, our ebook (which you can pre-order by clicking here), online learning and much more! We look forward to seeing you in class in Berkeley or at some future event! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter on the homepage of this site in order to become aware of all future Evo Yoga offerings!

Comments or Questions? Email mike@integralwellnessmb.com

Evolutionary

Yoga

An Integral Approach to Healing, Wellness & Transformation

Evolutionary Yoga Events

Michael no longer is teaching regular classes, see Calendar for local events

ABOUT

     Evolutionary Yoga takes into account that yoga is a much more comprehensive system of healing and spiritual growth than just physical practice alone. Evo Yoga blends physical poses, meditation, and energy practices with the wisdom of spiritual traditions and knowledge of western psychology.

     Each class will blend Evolutionary Yoga principles into a theme, poses, and meditation. In general, each class will be geared towards psychological healing, experiencing profound relaxation, spiritual development, and taking your practice off the mat and into your every day life.