3Y Yoga at Golden Drum
Experience yoga as a path of self-unification in this by-donation, all-levels class based on the teachings of 3Y Yoga. Through breath, movement, and meditative awareness, you’ll be guided into deeper presence and vitality.
What is 3Y Yoga?
3Y Yoga is rooted in the teachings of Yug Yoga Yoghism: A Mathesis of Psychology by Dr. Serge Raynaud de la Ferrière (read the full text and other works here). The 3Y system was reintroduced and established by Maestro Manuel Rufino, elder and founder of the Golden Drum. Rather than a fixed sequence of postures, it offers a complete system that traces its origins to the beginning of time. Classes are taught in a consistent format across yoga centers worldwide. The practice typically includes three parts:
Psychophysical exercises
A cold shower followed by conscious relaxation
Asanas, or postures, are based on the principles of Hatha Yoga.
Benefits of 3Y Yoga
Improved lung capacity & circulation
Enhanced flexibility & muscular tone
Greater stress resilience
Mental clarity & emotional balance
A deeper connection to self and community
Overview and Purpose
3Y Yoga, as practiced at Golden Drum and yoga centers, is a holistic and community-oriented form of yoga. It is not strictly about physical poses but is a comprehensive lifestyle approach aimed at enhancing physical, mental, emotional, and social health. The ultimate goal is to strengthen individual well-being as a foundation for healthier communities and people.
Core Methods
The method used is educational and experiential, offering a curriculum that integrates:
Physical Wellness: Emphasis on exercise and bodily hygiene to support continuous detoxification and vitality.
Nutrition: Focus on eliminating toxic foods and adopting a nourishing, natural diet to boost health.
Mental Discipline: Meditation is a key practice aimed at fostering mental clarity and self-control.
Intellectual and Creative Expansion: Studies and workshops include psychology, culture, arts, dance, and astrology to encourage broad, integrative thinking.
Philosophy and Progression
Students are encouraged to apply what they learn to their daily lives, demonstrating growth through healthier habits and increased personal responsibility. Advancement can lead to deeper studies and even participation as staff, promoting a cycle of service and teaching.
Inclusivity and Community Outreach
The program is inclusive and non-discriminatory, offering access to all individuals regardless of background. It also supports external community programs, reflecting a commitment to collective upliftment and service. In essence, 3Y Yoga is a multidimensional system for personal and social transformation, blending physical health, conscious living, and community service into a unified path of self-realization.
What is the intention of the 3Y system?
The term Yug means "to unite," to bring about unification, a link between body, mind, and spirit. That’s why the first practice in this path of union is peace, the first mantra. We begin with peace. We end with peace. The aim is to help you become peaceful, not in the way we often imagine, like lying in a hammock in the Caribbean, but through a deeper, truer sense of discovering who you really are.
What Are Psycho-Physical Exercises?
Psycho-physical exercises, developed by Dr. Serge Raynaud de la Ferrière in 1948, are a preparatory system for yoga postures that integrate physical movement with specific breathing techniques—especially aerobic nasal breathing. Designed for people of all ages and fitness levels, the exercises are divided into three parts:
Breathing – Enhances respiratory efficiency and focus.
Flexibility – Improves range of motion and reduces stiffness.
Muscular Tone – Builds strength to support sustained yoga practice.
These exercises emphasize endurance fitness over just muscular strength, aiming to improve the lungs, heart, and circulatory system, while also toning the body and supporting mental well-being. Benefits include better oxygen delivery, lower blood pressure, improved energy, stress resilience, and a more positive outlook on life.
What Is Conscious Relaxation?
The Art of Relaxation is fundamental to yoga, best practiced lying supine for conscious muscle relaxation. This technique, synchronized with natural breathing, offers faster physical recovery, emotional conflict resolution, increased mental energy, deeper self-awareness, and connection to higher aspects of personality. To practice, lie quietly for 12-15 minutes in a calm space, systematically relaxing muscles from toes to head, combining breath with tension release—while staying awake and mentally relaxed.
What Is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga is an ancient spiritual science aimed at self-realization, distinct from organized religions despite shared terminology. Rooted in the eightfold path of the Yoga Sutras, it emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breath control, and purification to prepare the body and mind for higher consciousness. Meaning "Sun-Moon Union," Hatha Yoga symbolizes the balance and integration of opposites within. Its asanas primarily affect the endocrine and nervous systems, activating seven key energy centers called chakras through which energy ascends from the spine to the head. These practices calm the often overstimulated nervous system, improve circulation, and foster both physical vitality and spiritual growth. Today, Hatha Yoga is widely practiced to strengthen the body and support spiritual evolution, with discipline and the guidance of a teacher being essential for effectively channeling its transformative benefits on the path to inner union and consciousness.
When are Classes at Golden Drum?
FREE INTRODUCTION CLASSES Wednesdays in September on Zoom from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesdays in October In-Person from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesdays in November In-Person from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesdays in December In-Person from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
View single classes and register here.
Classes are offered freely, with optional donations to support Golden Drum’s sacred space and community offerings!