While Raja Yoga does not acknowledge Kundalini (shakti) both Tantra and Hatha do. While the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita Shri, Krishna expresses that satva is superior as a state in nature. Tantra expresses that the 3 gunas are just states of nature. One is not better than the other and they must be balanced in the same way that the doshas must be balanced in Ayurveda. The Urban Sadhu method has
divided the practice up using the gunas to express the nature of different kriyas. Meditation, Nada and Pranayama are considered sattvic practices. Hatha, Karma and Jappa are considered rajasic because of their active nature. Yoga Nidra and Restorative forms of Yoga where the practitioner is passive are tamasic. Because the urban yogi is confronting a dynamic constantly changing world, the yogi has to be able to tap into these subtle energies of the gunas to maintain balance in their lives. Urban Sadhu Yoga Shala offers classes based on these 3 states of nature to help the yogi tap into their (spiritual) needs. Ahimsa (non-violation) foundation of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga and the first Yama or “restriction”. Cause no intentional harm through one’s thoughts, words, actions or deeds.
2. Sadhana (action, accomplishment or rite) Includes but is not limited to bhakti yoga, krama yoga, raja yoga, jnana yoga, hatha yoga, nada yoga, tantra yoga, japa yoga, kundalini yoga and prana yoga.
3. Svadhyaya (Self-study) “Study thy self, discover the divine” — Patanjali’s Yoga sutra, II.44 Understanding one’s true nature, its source and union with it is the goal on Urban Sadhu Yoga.
4. Dhyana (meditation) Inner connection to the Universal Self.
5. Aikyam (acknowledging the oneness of being) The oneness of the Individual Self and the Universal Self (jīvātma paramātma aikyam). Tat tvam asi or “Thou art that”.
6. Dharma (righteous duty) realization of responsibilities to ones family, friends, society, personal community, global community, all beings in that global community and ones higher authority beyond this realm.