Founder of Naam Yoga
Established2006
Derivative formsShakti Naam Yoga, Naam Yoga Therapies

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Naam Yoga

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Naam Yoga is a proprietary style of yoga introduced by Joseph Michael Levry in 2006.[1][2] The Shakti Naam Yoga method is part of the Naam Yoga technology. It is also a proprietary style of yoga founded by Joseph Michael Levry.[3]

The Experience

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There are three types of Naam Yoga classes:

  1. Naam Yoga
  2. Shakti Naam Yoga
  3. Naam Yoga Therapies


  • Naam Yoga Class Experience

Naam Yoga uses asanas, (postures or poses), Naam (chanting), pranayama (breath work), meditation (mind-focus), mudras (energetic hand-seals) and Universal Kabbalah (which incorporates Eastern and Western mysticism).[4][5] Each class incorporates an inspirational message aimed at raising the student's awareness. Dynamic movement sequences are paired with chanting, rhythm, music, active breath work and mudras. Specialized meditations complete the experience. Classes can be one on one, or in a group. While each class follows a set Naam Yoga class structure, each class varies because the teacher chooses the specific elements.

  • Shakti Naam Yoga Class Experience

A Shakti Naam Yoga class includes all of the elements of a standard Naam Yoga class adding the practice of Sukshma Vyayama (subtle-body work).[6] Much of the work done in a Shakti Naam Yoga class is done standing, with emphasis on breath work, movement, alignment and gazing. The Shakti Naam technology holds that the standing breathing techniques engage the lungs, torso muscles and legs in such a way as to counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.[7] Classes can be physically engaging however, they are restorative in nature and can be modified to be practiced even from a chair.

  • Naam Yoga Therapies Class Experience

Naam Yoga Therapies classes apply the technology of Naam Yoga to specific health conditions such as: heart health, thyroid health and hormonal balance, nervous system balance, diabetes, immune system, cancer, autism spectrum disorder, emotional balance, addictions and digestive health.[8][9]

History

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Naam Yoga

Chanting meditation, or recitation of Naam forms the essence of Naam Yoga which links itself to four spiritual personages: Guru Nanak, Baba Siri Chand, Baba Virsa Singh and Joseph Michael Levry.[10]

Guru Nanak (1469-1539), was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He dedicated his life to spreading the message of meditation upon God. He gifted humanity with the Naam: Eck Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wahe Guru, which can be translated, “There is One God, His Name is Truth, Praise the Ever More Wondrous God.”

Baba Siri Chand (1494-1629) was Guru Nanak’s eldest son. He was an Udasi and practiced a strict yogic lifestyle of celibacy, poverty and deep communion with God. Baba Siri Chand is said to have received the Naam directly from his father.

Baba Virsa Singh, from a young age, is said to have had divine encounters with both Baba Siri Chand and Guru Gobind Singh, whereby he was instructed in strict meditation and selfless service to humanity. Also known as Maharaj, Baba Virsa Singh preached the importance of steadfast communion with God through reciting Naam and reading Jaap Sahib.

Joseph Michael Levry pays tribute to Baba Virsa Singh as being the teacher who gave him Naam in his book, The Code of the Masters. Joseph Michael Levry has been teaching classes and workshops worldwide since the 1980s. Naam Yoga became a proprietary brand in 2006.

Shakti Naam

Sukshma Vyayama, also known as subtle-body work, forms the essence of Shakti Naam Yoga, which is part of the Naam Yoga technology. It links itself to four spiritual personages: Maharishi Karthikeya Ji Maharaj, Yogi Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, Shri Bal Mukund Singh and Joseph Michael Levry.[11]

Maharishi Karthikeya Ji Maharaj is known as the father of Sukshma Vyayama. He lived in the Himalayan mountains and passed this technology on to many students.

Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari Ji was a disciple of Maharishi Karthikeya Ji Maharaj who instructed many people in this yogic technology. Swami Dhirendra founded the International Yoga Research Center and helped to spread the teachings of yoga by telecasting nationally televised yoga programs in India. Many yogis and prominent members of society consulted him, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, former prime ministers of India.

Levry met master teacher Shri Bal Mukund Singh from whom he learned the advanced practice of Sukshma Vyayama which stood out to him as an extremely effective and healing yogic system among all of the various forms of yoga that he had encountered.[12]To this date Dr. Levry has maintained his relationship with Shri Bal Mukund Singh who is the direct disciple of Dhirendra Brahmachari[13][14], known as the teacher of the two prime ministers of India, Jawalharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi praised Sukshma Vyayama as the “keep-fit routine” for modern times in a public letter[15]. Sukshma Vyayama forms the essence of Naam Yoga that Dr. Levry is sharing today.

Joseph Michael Levry studied the techniques of Sukshma Vyayama privately with Shri Bal Mukund Singh. This technology forms an integral part of what the Naam Yoga stands for today.

Philosophy

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Service, meditation, positive thinking, actions, behaviors, language and perception are the essential practical tools of the Naam Yoga philosophy. At its core stands Universal Kabbalah (as taught by Joseph Michael Levry), a practical philosophy dedicated to the beneficent evolution of humankind. It describes the inseparable relationship between all of nature and the individual through set mathematical formulas which describe the cycles of nature. It is aimed at building the moral fiber of the student.[16]

Naam Yoga Superclasses

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Levry has led three global Naam Yoga Superclasses in Mexico City which are free public meditations dedicated to peace: Zocalo (12,000) in 2011,[17] Revolution Monument (15,000) in 2012[18] and the Angel of Independence (21,000) in 2014.[19][20] Thousands more were estimated to be in attendance via livestream at these events world-wide.

Centers

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Naam Yoga LA, a 501©(3), non-for-profit organization serves as the main headquarters for Naam Yoga, located in Santa Monica, California.[21] There are Naam Yoga franchise centers in Arizona, Brazil, Chzec Rebublic, Italy, Mexico, New York, New Zealand and Switzerland that offer classes, workshops, retreats, teacher trainings and instructional materials (books, cds, manuals and dvds). Classes and instruction offered at these centers is based on Naam Yoga Teacher Training curriculums developed by Joseph Michael Levry. To teach Naam Yoga in one of these franchises, instructors are first required to go through teacher training and to have completed a certain amount of practicums and community service. Naam Yoga LA has been featured on Good Day LA[22], mentioned by ABC7[23] and received a letter of commendation by the Mayor Pam O'Connor for its positive contribution to the city.[24]

Books

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There are currently six books available that discuss Naam Yoga, Shakti Naam Yoga and the philosophies contained within.

Alchemy of Love Relationships, (expanded and revised edition), Joseph Michael Levry (2014), ISBN-10: 1885562268

Lifting the Veil: The Divine Code, Universal Kabbalah with Naam Yoga Therapies (new expanded and revised edition), Joseph Michael Levry (2014) ISBN: 978-1-885562-02-9

Shakti Naam Yoga: The Gift of Health, Practical Applications of Shakti Naam Yoga, Joseph Michael Levry (2014) ISBN: 9781885623027

The Code of the Masters: Universal Kabbalah with Naam Yoga Therapies, (new expanded and revised edition) Joseph Michael Levry (2014) ISBN 9781885562258

The Divine Doctor: Healing Beyond Medicine (new expanded and revised edition) Joseph Michael Levry (2014) ISBN-10: 1885562993

The Healing Fire of Heaven, (Previously called The Splendor of the Sun) Joseph Michael Levry (2002) ISBN-13: 978-1885562265

Discography

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There are 36 meditation music CDs composed by Joseph Michael Levry which are designed as tools to be used within Naam Yoga classes, for personalized meditation and general listening. The mathematical structure of these recordings is said to maximize the healing potential of the listener.[25]

Pranic Power- Naam Infinitum- Naam Pure Consciousness Activation- Celestial Naam- Forever Naam- Golden Shield- BhaktiNaam- Blissful Spirit- Green House- Healing Fire- The Healing Spirit of Ra Ma Da Sa- Heaven’s Touch- House of Ram- Invocation of Divine Light- Kabbalah for Healing- Lumen De Lumine- Mystic Light- The Naam Groove- Naam Lounge- Naam Lumiere- Om House- Primal Vibrations- Pure Naam- Ra Ma Da Sa Healing Sound- Soul Trance- Sound of the Ether- The Flow of Naam- The Healing Beat of Naam- The Seal of Higher Destiny- Touch of Naam-Triple Mantra

  1. ^ https://trademarks.justia.com/788/51/naam-yoga-78851253.html
  2. ^ LA Yoga http://layoga.com/yoga-in-the-world/naam-yoga-hosts-worlds-largest-yoga-session/
  3. ^ Santa Monica Mirror, Healing With a Prayer, a Master and a Chair, Barbara Bishop http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Healing-With-A-Prayer-A-Master--A-Chair/38375
  4. ^ Good Day LA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdLb1-zHYo&feature=youtu.be
  5. ^ The Code of the Masters: Universal Kabbalah with Naam Yoga Joseph Michael Levry (2006)
  6. ^ Shakti Naam Yoga: The Gift of Health Joseph Michael Levry (2014)
  7. ^ KPFK Radio, Sound of Transformation http://rootlight.com/music%20samp/KPFK907fm.htm
  8. ^ CNN Espanol, Yoga for Diabetes https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uyELjFOWFuo
  9. ^ Giving Naam http://givingnaam.com/
  10. ^ The Divine Doctor: Healing Beyond Medicine (new, expanded version) Joseph Michael Levry (2014)
  11. ^ Shakti Naam Yoga The Gift of Health Joseph Michael Levry (2014)
  12. ^ Shakti Naam: An Ancient Secret For a Modern Age https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsm6h6AXss
  13. ^ www.shribalmukundsingh.com
  14. ^ Yoga: A Guide to Healthy Living, S.K. Sharma and Shri Bal Mukund Singh
  15. ^ Yogasana Vijnana: The Science of Yoga, Asia Publishing House, Dhirendra Brahmachari
  16. ^ Lifting The Veil Joseph Michael Levry (2014)
  17. ^ Fox News Latino http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2011/11/18/naam-yoga-invades-mexico-flab-mob-style/
  18. ^ http://dailyconcepts.com/naam-yoga-super-class/
  19. ^ Leisure & Travel Week Newspaper: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-358964368.html
  20. ^ http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Naam-Yoga-LA-Takes-Part-In-A-Global-Celebration-Of-Love-Peace--Light/39433
  21. ^ Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Business Guide 2014
  22. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdLb1-zHYo
  23. ^ http://abc7.com/health/acudetox-clears-organs-relieves-digestion/144069/
  24. ^ Santa Monica Mirror http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Naam-Yoga-Los-Angeles-Third-Anniversary-Gala-A-Success/41598
  25. ^ Mantra Magazine: Music and Mantra for Healing: An Interview with Dr. Robert Mirshak