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10-day Pranayama and Meditation Intensive – October 2010

The next 10-day intensive on Pranayama and Meditation is scheduled as given below:

When: Thursday, October 7- Saturday, October 16, 2010 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM Location: Kalasrishti – 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway) Fee: $55

This is the third such program in a series that I plan to […]

Sheetali and Seetkari – Pranayama to Control Stress and Blood Pressure

In the last few posts on pranayama, I introduced the concepts of breath retention (kumbhaka) and the energy locks (bandhas). Essentially, these techniques can be used in conjunction with any of the pranayama techniques that I have talked about in previous posts. I will be covering some of these variations in future blog posts.

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Kumbhaka (Breath Retention) Pranayama

In this post and a few of the upcoming posts, I will be describing pranayama techniques which involve breath retention (kumbhaka). Some of these techniques also involve application of the three bandhas, as appropriate.

Samavritti Pranayama

The word "sama" means equal or same number and "vritti" means rotation or simply action. If you recall, […]

21-day Yoga Challenge – September 2010

Yes, we are getting ready for this big event once again. Are you ready for this exciting and one of the most memorable yoga experiences of your life? Take the challenge and be transformed. Here are the particulars:

When: Wednesday, September 8 – Tuesday, September 28. I can accommodate a maximum of 15 people. Time: […]

Bandhas (Energy Locks)

In the last blog post, I talked about the concept of Kumbhaka – कुम्भक – (breath retention). A natural extension of Kumbhaka is the concept of the Bandhas – बन्ध – (energy locks). The bandhas are a very important part of the pranayama techniques as they help balance out the prana (the vital life force) […]

Breath Retention (Kumbhaka)

I would like to start this discussion by quoting two of the yoga sutras which lay down the foundation and guidelines for the breathing practices (pranayama).

"After mastering posture, one must practice control of the prana (pranayama) by stopping the motions of inhalation and exhalation" – Sutra 2.49

"The modifications of the life-breath are […]

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Naadi Shuddhi)

Also known by the names "Naadi Shodhanam" or "Anuloma-Viloma", Naadi Shuddhi (नाडी शुद्धि) is one of the most commonly practiced pranayama techniques in yoga. The word "naadi" means "nerves". In fact, in yoga the term naadi is applied to psychic channels associated with the flow of prana (vital life force). According to some ancient texts, […]

Deep Three-part Yogic Breathing

In an earlier post, we talked about the deep sectional breathing sequence. In the sectional breathing, we try to engage three different areas – top, middle and bottom – of the lungs in a deep breathing pattern. In the deep, full yogic breathing we combine the three sectional breaths into one single breath involving deep […]

Ujjayi (Victorious) Breath

The word "ujjayi" is derived from the Sanskrit root "ji" (जि) with the prefix "ud" (उद्) added to it. So the combined root is "ujji" (उज्जि) which means "to be victorious". Ujjayi (उज्जायी), thus means "one who is victorious" and "ujjayi breath" would mean "the victorious breath".

Because of the various benefits it provides […]

10-day Yoga Intensive – Summing Up

The 10-day intensive on pranayama and meditation concluded successfully on Saturday, July 31. The program was very well received by all the 17 participants. It is truly heartening to see the commitment of the students who willingly sacrificed their early morning sleep in order to get to the class by 6 AM. Most participants echoed […]