Dru Yoga is a heart-based yoga that has been specifically designed for current times, while still being rooted in the ancient yogic traditions.  Its purpose is to strengthen the energy that surrounds the heart.  It does this by using flowing movements, gentle postures, breathing practices, relaxation and meditation.  This is a truly holistic therapy that maintains optimum health and complements other natural therapies.

What does “Dru” mean in Dru Yoga?

The word “dru” is derived from the Sanskrit word “druva” that means “still” and “unchanging”.  In the practice of this form of yoga, the awareness is drawn to the “Druvakasha”, a place inside ourselves that is still and spacious.  This is where we store our tranquility and strength, and it is in this place that we are aware of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being.  Being aware of these aspects allows us to heal and integrate them into the body more fully.

Dru Yoga - The “Yoga of the Heart”

In yoga in general, the heart centre is known as the centre of transformation.  The reason why Dru Yoga in particular is called a yoga of the heart is because one of its major focuses is on activating the heart’s power.  Many of the postures and sequences are designed to stimulate the energy pathways (called nadis) around the heart and this is a key factor in this therapy’s effectiveness.

It is also a “soft body” approach to yoga as it emphasises soft, gentle approaches to physical movements.  The movements are performed slowly, with awareness, and often with many repetitions of the same movement.  You are working the body on a deeper level.  Because the body, mind, and emotions are so closely connected, if you change one of them you can change the others as well.  If you improve mobility in the spine, for example, you can release stored emotions from earlier traumas.

The Benefits of Dru Yoga

Dru yoga has many benefits and these include:

• greater in negative thinking
  
• improved ability to cflexibility of the joints and spine
  
• improvement in energy levels
  
• improvement in strength and stamina
  
• improvement in breathing
  
• increased strength
  
• reduction in overall body tension
  
• lessening of pain such as back pain
  
• better ability to handle stress
  
• a transformation to control emotions
  
• a more positive mood
  
• ability to better deal with conflict
  
• improved sleep patterns