Description

Have you ever wondered why the Sanskrit scriptures do not talk about muscles, diaphragm, lungs, nostrils, air tubes, oxygen... whilst all modern explanations of Pranayama are solely speaking in anatomical terms? Have you ever looked at the Hatha texts and noticed that they speak about vayu, nadi, chakra, kanda, kumbhaka, kundalini... when instructing Pranayama? The texts do not use these terms in absence of anatomical knowledge, they use them as they talk about a process different from respiration. Premodern India did not instruct respiratory exercises, they instructed expansion (ayama) of life (Prana).

You will learn and experience the real Pranayama, through understanding of the relevant Sanskrit verses and by experience. Practice can take a deeper level for those who engage in the original approach and their teaching will eventually change. My students love it!

We will explore the difference between Pranayama and respiration, looking at relevant Sanskrit verses so that you are able to practice the original pranayama by yourself.

About the tutor
I have practiced yoga for over 40 years, been a teacher for 30 years and a DCT for 20 years. All this time I studied the Indian scriptures, I have learned Sanskrit and brought the Indian message into my practice and teaching.

I have watched with sadness how much Yoga changed from a spiritual practice to exercise in the modern world and see it as my mission to bring the ancient Indian spirit back.

As part of this mission I wrote my book on pranayama, the idea of it, which I will introduce.

Aims:

To make participants aware of the Sanskrit evidence on pranayama, show how that differs from common Western pranayama teaching and instruct participants in how to experience the original pranayama.

Learning outcomes:

The participants should know by the end of the day:

1. Where to find descriptions of pranayama in the Sanskrit heritage
2. How these descriptions differ from common Western teachings
3. That pranayama is not a collection of techniques, but a threefold process

The participants should able by the end of the day to:

1. Explain the nature of pranayama
2. Practice pranayama
3. Start pondering possible ways to change the teaching and experience of pranayama

The participants should experience by the end of the day:

1. The navel centre being the centre of the pranic body
2. The subtle movement of the vayu
3. The application of pranayama in asana work to transform our postures
    

Timetable

Morning:

Introduction of myself

My personal Western training in pranayama versus the Sanskrit text evidence

Prana:

• What is it and why is it difficult for the Western mind to grasp this concept?
• Practical: experience a freer Prana flow
• The kosha system, Prana forms the 2nd kosha
   

Vayu:

• Vayus (winds/parts of pranayama) move in the same rhythm as respiration
• Practical: discover the vayu movement, apply different asanas to differentiate apana, samana and prana.
• Vyana vaju
• Kundalini (if time alows)
   

Afternoon:

Pranayama:

• The pranic body is full of impurities
• Pranayama is the methods to purify the pranic body
• 3 phases of pranayama in the Hatha and Raja tradition
• Practical: the 3 fold pranayama
• Kevala kumbhaka and the destroying of the veil, over the inner light
   

Assessment: 

The participants will be

• encouraged during the day to ask questions and report their experience.
• observed and individually helped in the practice
• offered to contact the tutor with any further questions in the future
• asked to fill in a feedback form

Additional Information

What to Bring

Mat, blocks, strap and anything else you might need for your own comfort during practice. And pleae bring lunch and an open mind.