Teacher
Biography

Jason Birch

"Yoga is a means to becoming who we are; a daily yoga practice places the reins firmly in our hands. Yoga is as boundless as the imagination - the scientific, the esoteric, aesthetic, magical - all can be brought together to formulate a practice that yields abundant vitality and a fully flourishing human being."

Jason Birch has been dedicated to the study of Sanskrit and the practice of Yoga since 1995. His knowledge of Yoga is a combination of what he has learned from practising modern Hatha Yoga, Chi Gung and Zen, as well as his academic research into the Hatha Yoga tradition.

In 2005, Jason completed a Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University, majoring in Sanskrit. This degree included the study of Classical and Modern Hinduism, Buddhism and the Six Schools of Indian Philosophy. He received first class honours for his thesis entitled, gThe Amanaska Yoga: a Critical Edition, Translation and Studyh, which reflects his special interest in the Medieval Yoga traditions of India, particularly the Sanskrit, Hatha Yoga texts of Gorakshanatha, who was the founder of the Natha Siddha Sect.

 

Jason Birch

Jasonfs practice of Yoga was first inspired by Simon Borg-Olivier, who taught him how to control chronic asthma with proper nutrition and pranayama. Jason has practiced various styles and gained a broad knowledge of Yoga by studying with many teachers. He lived in India for eighteen months, to learn Hindi and Yoga, and then returned to Byron Bay to complete the Yoga Artsf nine-month Teacher Training course, run by Louisa Sear.

The style of Yoga Jason has developed is based on the five limbs of Hatha Yoga; kriyas, asanas, pranayama, mudras and meditation. The emphasis is on applying the mudras particular to Hatha Yoga, to change the breath and build vitality. Every part of the body is important in this, however, the eyes, tongue, throat, heart, navel, pelvic floor, hands, big toes and the spine are given special attention. The first four limbs are performed in such a way as to support a meditation practice, which begins with mindfulness of breathing and moves towards absorption in the heart cakra.

In 2003, Jason established a Yoga school at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he taught Yoga postures, breathing techniques and meditation to doctors, nurses and administrative staff. Recently, he was a senior teacher at COMO Shambhala in Singapore, where he taught the Sanskrit, Pranayama and Meditation modules on their Teacher Training course. In October 2008, he will continue his research into Hatha Yoga at Oxford University, under the supervision of Professor Alexis Sanderson.

Feeling the need to relate the ancient theory of Yoga in a clear contemporary language and imagery, Jason has co-authored a book with John Shipton, entitled, gYoga and Spirit; the Hammer and Anvilh.

Jasonfs strength lies in his ability to combine an academic and practical knowledge of Yoga to explain and demonstrate the rejuvenating practices of this ancient art. Owing to the influence of the Western sciences, modern Yoga is evolving into something quite different to its Indian ancestor, and Jason hopes to continue to contribute to its development through his research and teaching at both Universities and Yoga schools around the world.

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