Developed by Amrit Desai in the 1970's, Kripalu combines Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga. A relaxing, compassionate approach emphasizing meditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation. The three stages of Kripalu Yoga are: willful practice (a focus on alignment, breath, and the presence of consciousness); willful surrender (a conscious holding of the postures to the level of tolerance and beyond, deepening concentration and focus of internal thoughts and emotions); and meditation in motion (the body's complete release of internal tensions and a complete trust in the body's wisdom to perform the postures and movements needed to release physical and mental tensions and enter deep meditation).