Trisha Shetty (Editor)

TriBalance Hot Yoga

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The TriBalance Yoga Method is a form of hot yoga that integrates aspects of several styles, including Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yin yoga, and therapeutic yoga. The style emphasizes mind-body-spirit union and action meditation.

Contents

One concept behind the TriBalance Method is self-discipline and modernization of an ancient tradition. One aspect of early yoga was as a martial art, which warriors would practice to be strong and limber for battles. Another is Tapas, which is a Sanskrit word that translates literally to heat. In yogic discipline it means ecstasy, burning out negativity on the journey to enlightenment. It is an egalitarian method of yoga emphasizing modifications of poses and use of props, designed to help students gradually grow strong enough to perform the full posture on their own. It emphasizes mindfulness and action-meditation. From the moment they enter the room until the moment they leave, students are asked to observe silence between classes to quiet their minds. Lastly, the TriBalance Method emphasizes helping students to uncover their practice, rather than teaching it to them.

Differences from Bikram

Though TriBalance yoga is hot yoga, it differs from Bikram in many ways.

  • In the TriBalance classes, lights are dim, which is to remove self-consciousness and make the process more internal for students.
  • The TriBalance classes can vary from class to class and teacher to teacher, rather than adhering to a set 26-pose sequence.
  • TriBalance involves more poses to strengthen the core and upper body and stretch the hips and back, particularly to recover from and prevent spinal injury and discomfort. A TriBalance Hot Yoga class integrates standing, balance, core and seated poses.
  • Bikram classes do not use props, blocks, or manual adjustments. TriBalance classes teach to the beginner level but use hands-on adjustments to correct for injury prevention or advance students.
  • Most Bikram poses are done twice in a row; once for 60 seconds and again for 30. Tribalance poses are generally held once and for longer to stimulate more fascia release. This ties in to the Yin Yoga influence; Yin referring to the deep tissues as opposed to the more superficial Yang (outer muscle) tissues
  • TriBalance discourages pregnant women from practicing heated yoga; Bikram encourages it.

    • History

    Corey Kelly and Shawnda Falvo opened TriBalance Yoga in 2007. Kelly had worked as a personal trainer for 10 years, as well as training in martial arts, before discovering yoga. He then had an intensive, year-long study with a live-in yoga instructor Shiva Kumar Madayya, the world-class yoga champion who won many competitions in India. There he was first introduced to Iyengar and therapuetic yoga.

    Kelly trained in Bikram, but wasn't totally satisfied with the one sequence and monologue. He was inspired by class and conversations with Mac McHugh at Niyama Yoga, Gabriel Halpern from Yoga Circle, and Paul Grilley of Yin yoga. He determined that heat is a benefit but there could be many styles of hot yoga. He gradually created the TriBalance Method, integrating different aspects of his yoga practices with his background as a personal trainer and experience with sports injuries. He and his partner Shawnda run the first TriBalance studio in Schaumburg, IL.

    References

    TriBalance Hot Yoga Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA