Pranayama Sadhana
Let Go of Stagnation, Embrace the Flow
Online Workshop ; 2nd – 6th Dec 2024 ; 5 Days
Find Your Path in Pranayama
Imagine this: you cook your favorite dessert, something you absolutely love. You’re excited, so you make a lot—way more than you need. At first, it’s bliss, enjoying each bite. But after a while, you feel full, yet you keep eating. You can’t store it, knowing that if you do, it won’t taste the same. So you push through, forcing more down until you feel uncomfortable—nauseous even, heavy both physically and mentally.
Think of that food as energy. When energy becomes stagnant, it doesn’t serve anyone—not you, not others. Had you shared the dessert, it would have brought joy to others and lightened your burden.
This experience mirrors what happens in our yoga practice. Sometimes, we get stuck in a particular stage, indulging in the comfort and familiarity. Just like savoring dessert, our asana practice can become an indulgence, fulfilling but eventually reaching a point where the “taste” becomes too sweet and heavy. What once brought joy can also bring discomfort; balancing it and moving forward is key.
In the journey of the eight limbs of Ashtanga, asana plays a vital role as the starting point, laying a stable foundation. However, asana alone is just the beginning. At some point, remaining in this stage may feel overly familiar and may lead to stagnation, much like lingering too long at the table. Acknowledging when it’s time to move forward is key for continued growth and transformation.
That’s where practices like Pranayama come in—helping you transition smoothly to the next level. If your practice has become overly familiar yet weighs on you, perhaps it’s time to explore this transition. Our Pranayama Sadhana offers a pathway, giving you the guidance to move forward, ensuring your energy flows again, supporting both your own journey and those around you.
Sadhana Outline
Take it one step at a time. This is not a race, but a journey.
Welcome to the first step of our five-day journey into Pranayama Sadhana. First day, we begin by preparing the body with Shatkarma—a cleansing process that removes obstacles to prana flow. We'll share the list and guide you through.
Our session starts with Asana, guiding you to bring awareness to your physical body. We’ll then move into Mudras, subtle gestures that direct energy, and finally, we’ll explore Pranayama, the regulation of breath.
The key here is repetition. Each time you practice, your body and mind grow more accustomed to the process, creating a foundation for deeper progress. Today is about setting the stage. By the end of this day, you will have felt the first stirrings of stability in your breath.
Day 1, we laid the foundation, and Day 2 we build upon it. We’ll follow the same pattern—starting with Shatkarma, moving into Asana, Mudras, and Pranayama. As we move through the practice, pay close attention to your breath. Notice how, with each repetition, the breath becomes steadier and more fluid.
Today, we’ll also introduce the concept of Prana, our life force, and its profound role in our practice. Pranayama, after all, is not just about controlling the breath; it is about understanding and nurturing the flow of prana within. How does this awareness change your experience of the practice
we deepen our understanding by introducing the cosmic cycles of Uttarayanam (the sun’s northward journey) and Dakshinayanam (the sun’s southward journey). These cycles mirror the energy within us. Uttarayanam brings outward-focused energy, expansion, while Dakshinayanam brings inward reflection.
How do these cycles influence our practice? Today, as we move through the Asanas, Mudras, and Pranayama, we’ll begin to notice how these subtle changes in the cosmic environment call for different approaches. This awareness adds depth to our practice, helping us align with the natural rhythms of the universe.
As we enter Day 4, we focus on the power of repetition. Each day we have followed the same sequence, but the deeper we go, the more we understand that repetition brings growth, not monotony. The practice has started to feel more natural.
We’ll continue to explore how the cycles of Uttarayanam and Dakshinayanam influence our energy levels and how we can adjust our practices accordingly. We’ll also touch upon the Ashramas, the stages of life. Understanding the stage of life we’re in helps us choose the right practices, ensuring that our growth is sustainable and harmonious.
On our final day, we bring everything together. We revisit our sequence—Shatkarma, Asana, Mudras, and Pranayama—but today we practice with a fuller understanding. We’ve learned about prana, cosmic cycles, and the stages of life. Now, it’s time to integrate these teachings into our practice and our lives.
This is not the end; it’s a new beginning. These five days have introduced you to practices that, when repeated and refined, will continue to support your physical, mental, and spiritual growth. As you move forward, remember: progress comes one step at a time, with patience, consistency, and awareness.
In these five days, we’ve aimed to make the practice smooth and sustainable for your body and mind. By repeating the steps, we lay the groundwork for gradual progression, allowing each stage to become a part of us. If you have any questions or need guidance, we are here to support you on your journey toward deeper practice and self-discovery.
Key details
Minimum one year of yoga practice or completion of a teacher training course, with no major health conditions. Until a foundation in asana practice is established, the breath can remain unstable in Pranayama. Keeping this in mind, we require these prerequisites to ensure a stable and effective experience in Pranayama practices
Pranayama is more than just breath control—it’s a transformative practice that fosters stability and calmness in the mind. When practiced consistently, it helps to sustain mental clarity and focus for longer periods, making a deep impact on your daily life.
In this workshop, we will not only guide you through pranayama but also help you enhance your existing yoga practice by refining your approach to both asana and breathwork. We believe that subtle adjustments in technique can lead to profound changes in experience. Our objective is to foster a long-term commitment to pranayama, as the longer and more consistently you practice, the stronger the impact it will have on your sadhana and overall well-being.
This workshop is designed for dedicated practitioners and teachers who already have an established, independent yoga practice. It’s ideal for those who have been practicing yoga for at least one year and are looking to deepen their understanding of subtle techniques in pranayama.
If you are a yoga teacher with experience and are seeking to elevate your teaching and personal practice, this workshop will provide you with invaluable insights and guidance. The course itself has limited time, but we emphasize that commitment extends beyond the workshop. Pre-workshop preparations and post-workshop follow-ups are essential to ensure lasting benefits. If you approach this with an open mind, ready to absorb and apply new teachings, this workshop is for you. If you think your cup is full, it might not be the right fit, but if you’re curious and eager to learn, this experience will offer new dimensions to your practice.
Our workshop is rooted in the lineage of the Bihar School of Yoga, following the teachings of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. Having studied directly under Pradeep Sattvamaya for nearly three years, Our Lead Teacher (Yashwanth Panyam) brings a personal and authentic approach to the practice of pranayama.
What sets this workshop apart is its alignment with traditional yogic teachings, combined with a modern application that ensures long-term sustainability. We delve into how closely these practices align with ancient scriptures, exploring their relevance and application in today’s context.
Pranayama, when practiced correctly, becomes a lifelong companion to your spiritual journey. This workshop doesn’t just teach techniques but offers a framework for integrating pranayama into your daily sadhana and yoga teaching. The personalized guidance you’ll receive makes this experience not just another workshop but a stepping stone for a deeper and more impactful practice.
OurTeachers
Yashwanth comes from the esteemed lineage of the Bihar School of Yoga, having studied under Pradeep Sattvamaya, a direct disciple of Swami Niranjana Ananda Saraswati. With a deep understanding of the application of yogic practices and philosophy, Yashwanth’s teaching reflects his core belief in developing the abilities for students to become independent in their practice. His unique approach integrates traditional yogic wisdom with a modern, sustainable practice that ensures long-term benefits for his students, empowering them to carry their learnings forward on their own journey.
Jalyssa began her yoga journey half a decade ago in her home country of Canada. Upon moving to India, yoga became the vessel that helped her find her footing in a new cultural landscape. Her passion for yoga led her to complete her teacher training under Yashwanth at Pratyaksha Yoga. With an educational background in Psychology and Sociology, Jalyssa is dedicated to using yoga as a means of personal evolution and fostering harmonious social interactions. Her approach emphasizes how yoga can help us live more fulfilled and balanced lives.
Jalyssa has been an integral part of the Pratyaksha Yoga teaching team, contributing her expertise in workshops, teacher trainings, and corporate sessions.
Natraj was introduced to yoga at the age of 12. Since 1996, he has been leading transformative trips to the Himalayas—Voyages of Self-Discovery—that integrate yoga and the mystique of the mountains. His extensive experience in adventure-based outbound training programs for corporates and educational institutions underscores his belief in experiential learning. Natraj completed his 200 HR RYT teacher training under Yashwanth in 2019 at Pratyaksha Yoga. Since then, he has dedicated his life to teaching yoga and helping individuals with physical and psychological challenges. The pandemic shifted his focus toward deeper inner journeys, and yoga has become a central part of his life alongside curating spiritual adventures in the Himalayas.
Natraj has also been an integral part of the Pratyaksha Yoga teaching team, contributing to workshops, teacher trainings, and corporate sessions, and he plays a key role in providing yoga therapy at Pratyaksha Yoga.
Five-Day Workshop: Limited to Only 10 Students
Experience a deep dive into pranayama in our exclusive five-day workshop, running from Monday, 2nd Dec to Friday, 6th Dec. Each day, from 10:30 AM to 1 PM, you will immerse yourself in 2.5 hours of focused practice, discussion, and refinement.
With only 10 spots available, this intimate setting ensures personalized attention, allowing you to fully absorb and integrate the practices.
Workshop Details:
•Dates: 2nd - 6th Dec'2024
•Time: 10:30 AM - 1 PM
•Platform: Zoom (You will receive the meeting link upon registration)
•Energy Share: 8000 INR
•Early Bird Offer: 5000 INR (Available until 11th November)
Whether you’re new to online workshops or a seasoned participant, our live and interactive sessions will help you build a sustainable pranayama practice. Don’t miss out—secure your spot now before the deadline!
