On Wednesday, April 12, 2022, Mazu Udi and Julie Anderson play some of the Indian instruments used in the classroom at the Yoga Pit in Brigham.
BRIGHAM CITY – Yoga has become more popular in recent years, with videos online and on TV showcasing ancient meditation practices and physical relaxation methods that anyone can try.
Matsu Udy, a Cache Valley native, is the owner of the Yoga Pit in Brigham, 148 North Main St. His yoga approach is more traditional and spiritual. With all the pressures and uncertainties we face today, it is more important than ever to have a place to foster a conscious community, he said.
“Due to the overemphasis on body posture, the practice of yoga is becoming less and less,” he said. “In our studio, we focus on the education of yoga philosophy, which eventually develops into other branches of the yoga tree, such as sound meditation or so-called Kirtan. “
Kirtan is a call-and-response style of musical meditation accompanied by traditional Indian instruments such as the yich, mṛdaṅga (hand drum) and kartalās (hand cymbals).
“Such ardent collective meditation will spontaneously bring about divine absorption, which will soon lead one to the perfection of yoga,” he said. “I have searched all the exercises in the East, and I can’t find a simpler and nobler method than reciting the vibration of the divine sound.”
In high school, he completed yoga teacher training, and after high school he moved to a monastery to study the ancient philosophy of yoga in a more intimate setting.
“After a trip to India, I was inspired to bring back ancient customs from there,” Udi said. “In March 2021, I opened a yoga pit. “
He uses what is considered to be the oldest form of meditation and engages with other class members in this most important yoga practice.
“We also offer tai chi, massages, a unique gift shop and traditional yoga classes for beginners 7 days a week,” he said. “The education we provide is based on truly ancient wisdom texts from India.”
The studio offers a rich opportunity to explore the transcendental knowledge of the ancient yoga or bhakti yoga tradition.
“Our team at Yoga Pit is made up of a diverse and distinguished group of educators eager to use their unique backgrounds and talents to share practical spirituality,” Udi said. “I am also a writer and I record audiobooks. The books I write or record are based on the practice of mindfulness and Eastern spirituality.”
The Yoga Studio in Brigham is the only one in town with a very unique approach to yoga. They can be reached at (801) 390-5029.