Shiva Centre

Dear Yogis,
This is my first address to you, my colleagues. We all are colleagues, because we all practice Yoga.
I’m sure you have noticed changes at the studio. This is because we have come with a new concept of spreading Yoga as a part of Vedic Science called Santana Dharma, which in translation from Sanskrit means, eternal teaching. This is the science of all aspects of Life, covering each and every sphere of it and giving people answers to all possible questions. This knowledge has divine origination as it is in turn tested by time, the most severe test possible. Imagine thousands and thousands of years of experience and observation of millions and millions of people. Thus it has double proof!
Our approach is teaching Santana Dharma, including Yoga, as an integral way of life where this eternal knowledge is implemented to organize every aspect of it on an ancient foundation, tested by time to make life better, happier, healthier and more successful.
According to Santana Dharma, human beings have four purposes in their life:

Kama - getting maximum physical enjoyment, bliss and happiness
Artha – attaining a level of welfare to satisfy all possible desires
Dharma-a social mission toward other members of our society. I usually explain it like this, “we all are postmen delivering letters to each other which we actually wrote to ourselves!”; and after all, the main and the most important one is
Moksha –the main and the most important purpose, is developing of our consciousnesses, higher, better, to the level when the consciousness of a human being can recognize one’s true divine nature. It is called Samadhi in Yoga or total realization of human consciousness.

I use these two words, Yoga and Santana Dharma, as they are almost synonyms. The difference is that Yoga is the method of implementing Santana Dharma. Santana Dharma itself is a compound of different Vedic Sciences we teach at our center, like

Raja Yoga- science of the human consciousness and of life itself and how to change it.
Hatha Yoga- science of the human body and how to develop it and integrate all 3 bodies we have, like sthula shariara( physical body), sukshma sharira(subtle body), karana sharira(causal body)
Shabda Yoga, Nada Yoga and Mantra Yoga- sciences of sacred and mystical sounds designated to modify consciousness;
Karma Yoga- science of overcoming Karma as the most important task we have in our life
Bhakti yoga- science of establishing contacts with the different sources of energy forming our multi-faceted life
Tantra Yoga- mystical remedies to influence our life to change it for better, including the most sacred sexual aspect of it.
Yantra Yoga- mystical diagrams as a tools of changing consciousness
Prakasha Yoga- science of using light to get rid of diseases and to solve problems
Swapna Yoga – science of sleep
Mrityu Yoga – science of death
Ayurveda- science of true, natural health as a harmony of human being and nature, but not just temporal absence of diseases as people understand health
Vaastu Shastra- knowledge of forms in a way of habitats, offices, shops, factories etc. and how they influence our life
Jyotisha Veda- vedic astrology as the most important vedic science of all, giving us understanding of everything that happens in our life
Samudrika Shastra-science of the human body, including Hasta Samudrika Shastra- vedic palmistry, Pada Samudrika Shastra- vedic science of legs (which sounds quite peculiar but you will see how it is effective) Mukha Samudrika Shastra- vedic face reading and Shariraka Shastra- science of the body and its movement
Sankhya Shastra- vedic numerology
Kalaripayattu – ancient vedic martial art and healing, it is actually a part of Tantra Yoga with a big portion of Ayurveda.

And much more…
Yoga means using these different aspects of Santana Dharma in our human lives to establish the Vedic mode of life.
The belief that Yoga is only for ascetics, sitting in Himalayas or a sort of exotic physical culture is incorrect. Yoga is a deep science of all sides of Life and a practical remedy to cope with its problems. Yoga isn’t only “spiritual” or only “physical”, it is integral science. You can’t jump only with your head or develop only muscles of your legs. You have to jump with your whole body.
We live in Kali Yuga the most difficult period in the history of human civilization and the last one, by the way. Unhappiness, loneliness, stress, depression, poverty, instability and diseases are typical features of this time. In spite of all efforts undertaken by people, all these problems are not solved, but rather increase in number and severity. Paradoxically, the more people try to overcome them the stronger they become. As, they say, the more changes we make the more everything remains the same. The reason of that is Avidya, as it is called in Sanskrit, or the inability to see what is the cause and what is the effect. We can observe it everywhere in our life. Let us use the common cold and taking a pill to reduce the symptom of a fever as an example The fever is a symptom of the disease from one point of view and a result of working of Jatara Agni (digestive fire), from another point of view. This form of universal Agni is responsible for our digestion of food and at the same time immunity of our body. That is why in cases of infection our body raises the temperature to burn it out. By the way, Jatara Agni can’t digest our food and keep the immune system working simultaneously which is why we lose our appetite when we are ill. But what do we do? We take a fire-extinguisher in the form of a pill and put out that poor Agni and wondering why this disease lasts so long! Sometimes it can even become chronic.
Santana dharma gives us the possibility to distinguish between causes and effects and gives us the opportunity to really solve our problems. Our life is a reflection of our consciousness. If we want to change something in our life like our mode of relationships, getting a better job, healing a disease or whatever- we have to change our consciousness first. Yoga is the very science of how to do that.
Try and see.
I wish you success on this road,
Your shiva and Shiva’s Center

I can't think of a time I've been more relaxed - IN Utah This Week

Testimonial

I just wanted to thank Shiva, Andrejs and your-very-good-self for a weekend truly loaded with inspiration - gosh I feel like my head will explode!

Shiva did an excellent job with all of us and the lectures...this is very exciting and he is funny and full of info. I am so looking ahead for more!

Front Desk & Boutique Hours

Monday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday
8:30am - 2:00pm and 3:00pm - 9:00pm


	Staff Bios

	Shiva Owner Shiva was born in Riga, Latvia in 1957, where he lives now. He has degree in economics. His interest in yoga began in 1976, when the Soviet Union and communist power prohibited yoga. He studied clandestine. He has been studying Vedic Sciences including Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Hatha yoga and others yogas. He is also specialist in Darshanas /vedic philosophy, particularly in Vedanta; Ayurveda; Tantra, including Maithuna – tantric sex as a unique way of transforming life; Sankhya Shastra (vedic numerology); Vaastu (vedic science of placement, architecture and design); Jyotisha veda (vedic astrology) and with his speciality in Prashna (vedic astrology of answering questions) he is known as Master of Prashna. Shiva knows well Upayas (remedial measures as an instruments of changing life and outcomes in it), Nimitta shastra (vedic and tantric science of signs and omens), Hasta Samudrika Shastra (vedic palm reading), Mukha Samudrika Shastra (vedic face reading), and Pada Samudrika Shastra (vedic foot reading). He works extensively with Mantra Shastra (science of mantras), Nada yoga and Laya yoga- magical aspects of yoga using sounds and chakras. He is well known as Master of Swara yoga (vedic science of breathing) the ancient mystical aspect of yoga working on subtle level with events in life, using breath as a tool, powerfully changing them as well as their results. He has been studying Sanskrit and Kalarippayattu as well. He is also the owner of Shiva's Center in Riga, Latvia. Shiva's expertise and wide spread erudition in Vedic Sciences are acknowleded even in India and he is considered there as Brahma Rishi. He has been teaching and consulting tens of thousand of his disciples, students and clients since 1989 in different countries. His lectures gather hundreds of people.

	Andrejs Gailis - Director of Shiva Centre (email) Vedic Consultations, Kalari, Kalari Yoga, Hatha, Ayurveda, Jappa, Raja Andrejs Gailis is interested in everything that is offered in Vedic culture. He has studied different branches of the Vedas with his teacher Shiva in Latvia and has traveled to India many times, meeting with different Yogis, saints, astrologers, Ayurveda practitioners, mystics etc. He has studied Jyotisha (Vedic astrology), Sankhya shastra (Vedic numerology), Ayurveda, Vaastu shastra (vedic houseplaning), Hasta-, Mukha- and Pad- samudrika shastra (palm, face and feet reading), Svara yoga (knowledge of breath), Nimitta shastra (knowlede of omens), Raja yoga, Tantra yoga, and other bodies of knowledge. He performs Vedic rituals such as Puja and Homa, and offers classes on Hatha yoga, Pranayama and Kalarippayatu. Andrejs has a degree in law, and has eight years of experience leading business in two countries for an international company.


	Brandi Allen Director of Flow Kidz Teacher Training, Kids Yoga, Basics, Level 1 Brandi feels that her journey with yoga is continually beginning anew. It has been a joy for her to share her love of yoga with infants up to 70 year olds. She continues to study all aspects of yoga so that she may bring to her students a sense of the freedom and peace that she finds in her own yoga practice. Brandi completed her studies in Elementary Education at the University of Utah in 1991. She teaches at a Montessori school and specializes in "Kids Yoga" at Flow. In addition to her regular teaching schedule, Brandi also has, with Jennifer Ellen, developed the Kids Yoga Teacher Training at Flow in hopes that more children will have the opportunity to develop the many life skills that yoga has to offer. Brandi spends most of her time enjoying her three beautiful children, loving husband and exploring the outdoors with them as often as possible.



	Connie Clegg Level 1, Basics Connie Clegg Day, 500 HR Registered Yoga Teacher, began her yogic journey in 2002 in Salt Lake City as a stress relief from her corporate job and active lifestyle. She fell in love as she noticed immediate benefits to the mind, body, and spirit. Upon moving to New York City in 2006 she completed 500 HR (Yoga Alliance) training with Jean Koerner and Alan Finger in the ISHTA style (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda). With gratitude to her teachers she now shares the abundance of yoga through teaching classes to adults, children, special needs, and at risk youth. Her classes bring attention to breath, movement, & alignment; deepening the internal journey to freedom.

	Jessi Morton Level 2 Coming to us from Southern Alberta, Canada, Jessi brings youth like wisdom and playfulness to her otherwise intensely powerful yoga practice. Jessi came to Utah in 1998 to study Education and Science. Besides being a teacher, she is also NASM (National Science and Sports Medicine) certified and is a member of a charitable group, Team Donate Life, who participates in national cycling and running events to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation. Jessi discovered Flow Yoga three years ago and instantly felt at home. She enrolled in YTT in March 2009 and received her RYT. Jessi spent the last 2 summers in India practicing Kalari and receiving ayurvedic treatments/massage. Her first trip to India was a pivotal point in her life. After countless hours on the beach, staring into the vastness of the ocean, she realized the power of true self and has been on a transformational journey since. Not only does Jessi understand the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of yoga but also has personal experience of its healing power. Her passion for life and the human body is evident so be prepared to rock, laugh, sweat, and love.



	Nichole Golden Level 2, Basics Nichole, a Colorado native, has studied the yoga philosophy for over five years from people and places all over the world. She was certified four years ago in the Vinyasa/Power technique, but since than has come to know and love all flavors of the physical, mental and spiritual practice that are part of the yogic path. From her many travels abroad she has learned the practice of Thai Massage, which she creatively integrates into her teaching. She is a certified Somatic Therapist, a healing technique that draws on earth-centered therapeutic modalities. Nichole's classes are an organic mix of empowered healing, realization, acceptance, and evolution. With humble gratitude, she shares her love of yoga with all who come into her life.

	Siri Om Kaur Kundalini Yoga & Meditation Siri Om Kaur, a.k.a. Melissa Hamilton was originally drawn to Yoga by experiencing an openness of heart. It became her desire to share the practice of Yoga with others seeking clarity, balance, focus, and healing of mind, body and spirit. Siri Om has over seven years experience teaching Hatha and Kundalini Yoga and is registered and certified through Kundalini Research International and Yoga Alliance. Siri Om continues to receive from her own teachers of the lineage of Yogi Bhajan, who transmit energy for growth and expansion with the intent of sharing this experience with others. Melissa’s classes support the creative journey of every soul by developing intuitive awareness and honoring each student’s unique strengths and challenges. In 2006, Melissa was introduced to the science of Kundalini Yoga while training for a summit climb of Mount Rainier. Positive mantra and breath fueled each step and contributed to a life transforming experience. Since then, she has been devoted to helping others find their individual flow and full potential. She challenges students to use the ancient and powerful combination of pranayam, asana, mantra, and meditation of Kundalini Yoga to walk through their own fears, release their worries and stress and come to a place of inner strength, joy and bliss!

	Jami Larson Basics, Level 1, Open Level Jami brings her experience as a certified yoga instructor (RYT) together with 1000+hours of massage and body therapies to assist others in a holistic and compassionate approach toward self awareness, stress reduction and the transformative power of asana practice, through the sacred truth all is one. She focuses on Vinyasa as the natural rhythm of universe, while honoring each body's innate wisdom to create the desired changes in his and her own life. Jami celebrates yoga in all activities, from her on going studies in anatomy, asana, meditation, and pranayama, to her time communing with nature. OM SHANTI.

	George Limberakis Open Level Rather than moving from having a strong, personal yoga practice into teaching yoga, I began with a strong teaching practice and, gradually, brought yoga in. Over the past 25 years, I have taught every type of group exercise, always with a sense that something was missing. After refusing several invitations to partake of yoga, over the years, I finally succumbed to its charms and have been deeply smitten, ever since. I completed the 200-hour RYT program, through Flow Yoga, in 2008. My classes have been described as physically challenging. It is my hope to bring into every class the opportunity for students to push against their limits and to grow their practices. I strive to offer modifications so that all, advanced as well as beginning yogis, can walk away feeling accomplished, energized and peaceful.

	Nicole Gleave Hatha, Kalari,Kids Kalari Nicole has been practicing, studying, and evolving at the studio since 2007. She has a dedicated Hatha, Kalaripayattu, pranayama, jappa, and meditation practice. She is very inspired by the various subjects that are being offered at the center. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to learn these ancient practices which help us comprehend our true essence and looks forward to the continuous, progressive, evolutionary unfolding that is taking place. Nicole is happy to participate with the fabulous community that feels more like a family. May we all find our truth and walk in the light that is our inherent nature. Om Nama Shivaya

	Scott Moore Level 1 Scott Moore discovered yoga with his wife, Celeste, in 2000. He started with a strong astanga-based power yoga practice and was immediately attracted to yoga’s focus and energy, its grace and strength. Scott's classes cultivate awareness through fun, powerful and often flowing poses. They incorporate helpful anatomic and energetic principles that invite you to participate deeper in the unfolding of your own body/mind/spirit connection. In addition to teaching classes, Scott finds immense enjoyment working one-on-one with students. He loves to see how yoga transforms peoples lives. Scott has a BA in English and loves to read. He also loves cooking, running, doing anything and everything with Celeste. Besides yoga, Scott’s passion is jazz and plays the saxophone with his jazz group, the SP Coltrain Jazz Combo.

	Matt Newman Anusara Inspired Growing up in a family of musicians, Matt found his gift for music early in life. Listening and watching the practice of music and meditation opened his eyes to the beauty of his surroundings. Meditation was his fathers practice, easy to watch, but not easy to perform, it took Matt until his twenties to find his own practice. Recovering from several back injuries, Matt found the practice of asana and the beauty of his childhood was again revealed. Meditation was easier after asana and he was hooked. Several teachers and studios later, Matt was introduced to a yoga that not only revealed the beauty of the body, but also its relation to the pulsation of nature that surrounded him. He has studied extensively with John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Shiva Rea, Simon Park, Lorin Roche and just about anyone that sees the universe as non-dualistic. Yoga Therapy, Asana, Tantric Philosophy, Kirtan and Energetic Alignment are the highlights of his study. Matt uses all of these tools to put together classes that are not only fun, but deeply weave these concepts together. Asana is the music of the body. Matt is currently a Yoga Alliance RYT 200 Yoga Therapist and Anusara Inspired Yoga Teacher, on his way to full Anusara Certification.
	Rachel Posner Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Rachel is a yoga instructor, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, counselor, and wilderness guide. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling/Psychology with a concentration in body-centered modalities. For her, teaching yoga is a natural progression to her studies. She received her yoga certification in 2000 and her Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy certification in 2001. Rachel's yoga practice is informed by her deep belief that our bodies have much to teach us about how to cultivate both a rich inner and outer life. She connects deeply with vinyasa because it gives us an opportunity to practice moving with fluidity and purpose, while in alignment and deep communion with the natural world. As a teacher, her greatest joy is to support others in developing a practice that supports their lives outside of the yoga studio.



	Jen Hecht Anusara Inspired Jen is an Anusara Inspired yoga teacher who has always had a connection to the exploration of movement and the expression of her heart. So naturally Anusara was a match with its deep connection of flowing with the heart and the "Universal Principles of Alignment". While teaching she incorporates her many years of studying dance where she had the opportunity to learn about energy, anatomy, kinesiology, and the fullness of expression. This is intertwined with her studies of yoga and philosophy. She has also had many trainings in yoga therapeutics and delights in sharing this knowledge throughout her teachings. Come ready to play and find a deeper connection to your heart.
	Jeff Silverstein Ashtanga Jeff has been a student of yoga since 1971. Growing up in Brooklyn he began his own practice after a friend gave him Baba Ram Dass's book Be Here Now. While attending Sat Sang he was introduced to his Guru, Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidananda. He attended many of the Guru's retreats, and classes at the studios in New York City. He then went to Quebec and lived at the Sivanda Ashram for the summer and received a 500 hour teaching training from Swami Vishnudevanada. After Graduating High school he and his friends moved to Aspen and then to Salt Lake City. He began Practicing Astanga Yoga. He took David Swenson's Primary and Intermediate Teacher trainings and Richard Freeman’s Advanced TT. He also took Tim Miller's 1st series Teacher training. Jeff's teaching style is to integrate philosophy with practice. He is easily approachable and has a great sense of humor. His hands on adjustments are safe and therapeutic. When He not studying or practicing yoga you could find him skiing or trail running in the Wasatch mountains.

	Shad Stagl Basics The study, the practice, the being of yoga is the best thing that ever happened to me. I completed my teacher training through Flow and have been teaching hatha vinyasa since 2007. I believe in the healing of sound, the love of worship, the freedom of movement, the awareness of breath. Many forms of yoga interest me and influence the classes i teach; Kundalini, Ashtanga, Kalari, and Bhakti to name a few. Expect nothing, rather come as you are, at your ability. "The wise man lets go of all results, whether good or bad, and is focused on the action alone. Yoga is skill in actions." -The Bhagavad Gita as translated by Stephen Mitchell

	Jade Stromberg Basics, Jade Stromberg is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), certified in Vinyasa Yoga who has taught for the past year. She has practiced for many years and has cultivated a great passion, love and appreciation for the teachings of yoga. Jade has experienced many wonderful transformations through asana, pranayama and mediatation practice with the help of gifted teachers and hopes to pass this inspiration along to her students. Her intention for each class she teaches is to create a safe, comfortable, empowering, and beautiful experience for all involved. She welcomes all students with an open heart and open arms.



	Amanda Buist Director of Operations & Studio Goddess (e-mail) I had the pleasure of growing up in the stunning dessert of Southern Utah in a small town called Hurricane outside of Zion National Park. I was first introduced to yoga by my college roommate while studying Social Anthropology and Philosophy in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews. When I returned home from my studies I moved to Salt Lake City where I was introduced to Bikram yoga and took up a practice. I enjoyed the practice, but found it to lack something I couldn't quite put my finger on at the time. A short while later a friend told me about Flow Yoga, said nothing but amazing things and also recommended me for a part time job, which I gratefully accepted. This was three years ago, while I working full time as a Raw food chef for Omar at Living Cuisine and studying part time at Westminster. I immediately fell in love with the studio, the instructors and the students and slowly enjoyed the resurrection of my Yoga practice. I began managing the studio In October of 2008 and haven't looked back. In my free time I love to garden, create food, read, go for long walks and bike rides, travel, and love learning and growing with the things and people that surround me. ~Namaste