Jivamukti Yoga in Paris
Planning on squeezing a few yoga classes in on your next trip to Paris? This is the place to go if you are looking for English speaking yoga classes in Paris.
‘Jivamukti yoga is a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings’.
You can find that path located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris overlooking Canal Saint Martin. (92 Quai des Jemmapes to be exact). My wellness path started a long time ago in London and resulted in training to be a 300 hour certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher in India in 2019. I absolutely love this practice and couldn’t be happier that I live 10 minutes walk from the Jivamukti studio in Paris! Yoga is such a big part of my life and the most important part of my self care and wellness routine for my mind and body. As a qualified Jivamukti yoga teacher this blog post shares my passion for this style of practice while giving you a clear description of what to expect from a class and the studio in Paris.
Canal Saint Martin, Paris
What is Jivamukti Yoga?
Jivamukti yoga was founded in New York city in the 80’s by Sharon Gannon and David Life. Their most influential gurus are Shri Shyamdas, Shri Swami Nirmalanda, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and Shri Milanbaba Goswami.
“Through the innovations of Jivamukti Yoga, Sharon and David have brought the ancient teachings alive, going to the root of their wisdom and making it relevant to the contemporary world”.
The practice is based on their five tenets of yoga which include a focus on a compassionate lifestyle to all beings including animals and the environment. Devotion, which can be expressed through chanting and setting intentions. Meditation, the use of sound through music and speaking and study of the ancient yoga scriptures. Every month has a ‘Focus of the Month’ which guides the themes of the classes. You can find out more on their site below.
A typical Jivamukti Yoga class
What to expect? There are daily classes offered in English and french. A typical Jivamukti open class will last for 90 minutes. Opening with chanting together followed by the teacher sharing yoga philosophy in relation to the Focus of the Month. It then moves into what would be considered a strong vinyasa flow practice, including ashtanga and Jivamukti sun salutations, standing poses, balancing poses, backbends, forward bends and inversions. Watch out, you will have to do wheel pose 3 times but don’t worry it will be close to a well deserved savasana. Also the savasana will be a good 5 minutes to really allow all the benefits of the class to integrate into your body. The class will end with meditation and closing chants. The combination of a strong spiritual and physical practice and how I feel after is really special. There is something more to it that I can’t explain, plus far more rewarding than a normal exercise class. Don’t worry if you are a beginner, yoga always meets you where you are and there will be suitable modifications for the poses. Always listen to your body and don’t worry about what anybody else around you is doing.
The Jivamukti Studio in Paris
The studio is really big and offers a lot of classes as well as other varieties of yoga including yin, ashtanga, Iyengar and kundalini yoga. They also have a regular Kirtan. There is a vegan cafe and space to sit indoors or enjoy the view of the canal outside. The location of the studio is fantastic, right in the centre of Canal Saint Martin. The area is full of cafes, restaurants etc but always draws a crowd to sit and relax by the canal where it is ok to bring your own food and drinks. The teachers of course are what makes a Jivamukti class so special. As well as their resident teachers they regularly have teachers visiting from other cities that will teach guest classes and workshops.
View of Canal Saint Martin
How to book?
You can go directly to the Prices and Packages section on their website or just walk in and pay at reception.
https://www.jivamuktiyoga.fr/prices-and-packages/
Or if you have a class pass account, there are classes offered from this site.
So whether you are living here or eager to keep up your wellness routine on your trip to Paris I hope you found this useful. Jivamukti Yoga Paris is always worth a visit.