Welcome to Yogacara, The Fig House, Siolim, Goa.
The practice of yoga encompasses a wide range of postures and breathing practices that promote strength, flexibility, balance, and holistic wellbeing. It also serves as a transformative life path, imparting wisdom that enables individuals to navigate life's challenges with grace, resilience, and inner harmony.
Mindfulness and meditation serve as pathways to inner peace and mental clarity, guiding us towards tranquility. Through the practice of presence, mindfulness, and stillness, we cultivate a calm and focused mind, unlocking the profound power of being fully present and aware in each moment.
Cultivating inner wellbeing, insight and wisdom requires quiet and dedicated time for self-inquiry and reflection. Our serene surroundings at the Fig House enable you to embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and taking charge of your life to become the master of your destiny.
Haṭha yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word हठ haṭha meaning “force”, encompasses physical postures aimed at enhancing the body’s inner strength and health while filling the body with energy and vitality.
According to Haṭha yoga texts, a posture is perfected when effort dissolves, breathing normalizes, and one attains inner awareness. Yoga’s essence lies in aligning and purifying the mind, body, and spirit, and developing inner mastery. Amidst an ever-changing and chaotic physical world, individuals face challenges. Yoga teaches us to live with resilience, undisturbed by external factors.
Iyengar yoga, derived from hatha yoga, focuses on precise alignment and prolonged poses to enhance strength, flexibility, and overall wellbeing. This powerful practice fosters a deep sense of inner balance, strength, and harmony. At our institute, all our teachings are rooted in the Iyengar School of Yoga, guiding practitioners on a journey from the external layers of the physical body to the inner layers of their authentic selves.
Prānāyāma (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम) is a yogic discipline centered around the breath. “Prāṇa” signifies the vital life force, while “yāma” implies gaining control.
Within the realm of yoga, breath and prāṇa are closely intertwined as life energy. Consequently, prānayama serves as a means to amplify and elevate prāṇa śakti, the energies that sustain life.
Developing proficiency in pranayama practices begins with nurturing the muscles involved in breathing. The body acts as the gateway to the breath, and in turn, the breath serves as the gateway to the mind. By honoring the body’s connection to the breath, we lay the foundation for a profound exploration of the mind-body connection and the transformative power of breathwork.
Pratyahara, a fundamental aspect of Yoga, involves the intentional withdrawal of our senses and the sensory inputs they bring into our physical being. Our senses, which act as conduits for external stimuli, can often overwhelm us and impede the gathering and concentration of our thoughts, as seen in the subsequent stage of Yoga called Dharana.
Among the various methods used to withdraw the senses, one widely practiced approach is mindfulness directed towards the breath. By attentively observing the breath without attempting to control it, our connection to external senses and stimuli gradually diminishes.
The mind naturally tends to wander amidst the sensory inputs, but as these inputs recede, the mind can redirect its focus inward. This inward turning of the mind is a pivotal aspect of pratyahara.
Dhāraṇā, a significant stage in the practice of Yoga, can be understood as “holding steady,” “concentration,” or “single focus.” It follows the preceding limb of Pratyahara, which involves withdrawing the senses from external stimuli.
Dhāraṇā takes this process a step further, refining it to attain ekagrata or ekagra chitta, a state of single-pointed concentration and focus.
In the practice of Dhāraṇā, the practitioner enters a state of deep concentration meditation, wherein the chosen object of focus is held firmly in the mind, undisturbed by wandering thoughts or distractions. This unwavering consciousness towards the chosen object characterizes the essence of Dhāraṇā.
Tues & Thurs – 8 00 am to 9 15 am – Iyengar – All Levels
By gradually strengthening and opening the body layer by layer, you develop a solid foundation through precise technique and alignment, deepening the connection to the physical core through a heightened self-awareness and muscular engagement.
With consistent dedication, each student’s practice evolves, fostering endurance, strength, flexibility, and a centered, balanced way of existence that aligns both your internal and external selves. The practice also aids in building immunity, relieving stress, anxiety, and pain.
Our classes seamlessly integrate the physical aspects of yoga asana with pranayama, kriya cleansing, mindfulness, and meditation practices, resulting in an overall enhancement of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Through breathing and the cultivation of mindfulness, you will also discover how to extend your practice beyond the confines of the studio into your daily life, acquiring the tools to lead a fulfilling existence amidst the pressures and obstacles of daily life. Our classes Sanskrit incorporate the concept of Aikyam (ऐक्यम्), representing oneness, unity, harmony, and unanimity.
Join us for yoga and the best coffee in town!
Yogacara, nestled within the Fig House, provides a serene and nurturing atmosphere. Whether you choose to partake in a residential retreat, attend a yoga class, or savor nourishing meals at our cafe, you will discover that this tranquil space is perfectly conducive to deepening your yoga practice, engaging in self-reflection, and gaining clarity on challenging aspects of your life.
At our center, we deeply acknowledge that personal growth and success are influenced by a combination of external and internal factors. Therefore, we have curated a unique blend of expert guidance, transformative practices, and personalized support to foster your holistic development.
Our center acts as a sanctuary, allowing you to detach from the distractions of daily life and wholeheartedly immerse yourself in tranquility and self-discovery. Through our diverse range of classes and rejuvenating retreats, we facilitate the process of rejuvenation, rebalancing, and recentering, leaving you feeling revitalized, inspired, and fully equipped to embrace life with a renewed sense of energy and unwavering confidence.
Radhika Vachani is the founder of IIWE and the esteemed Yogacara Institute. She is a published author and a leading authority on the science of yoga and holistic wellness. With over 25 years of unwavering dedication to the BKS Iyengar School of Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices, she has immersed herself in their profound study, becoming deeply versed in their wisdom.
Since 2010, Radhika has remained steadfast in her mission to preserve the ancient and authentic practices of yoga—a treasured legacy of India and a remarkable gift to the world. Drawing upon her vast experience studying under revered yoga and meditation masters, she has crafted evidence-based programs that seamlessly merge Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and ancient wisdom, fostering holistic health and well-being.
Through her transformative approach, Radhika creates a nurturing space for individuals to delve into self-exploration and deepen their practice, moving toward inner mastery. This allows them to establish a profound connection with themselves and embark on a meaningful journey towards a stress-free and enriched way of being.
She works extensively with individuals, organizations, and academic institutions in both the East and the West, empowering others toward a more meaningful life and the enrichment of their own being.
Join us for yoga and the best coffee in town.
Classes begin Thursday June 13, 2023
Schedule: Tues & Thurs 8 45-10 am
All classes are FREE through June, 2023
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Our mission is to empower people to flourish and thrive and live with passion and purpose.
By promoting human flourishing, our purpose is to harness collective intelligence and collaboration to successfully tackle organizational and global challenges.