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Jun 5 – 16, 2023. Completed.
Pranayama Intensive outline
- During this 10-day intensive we will start to hone in on single practices that will increase in duration during the course of the week. This course is oriented towards intermediate and advanced practitioners and will include kumbhakas and bandhas.
- 60 minutes of full guidance and practice each day. Questions via email only.
- In the Hatha Yoga texts we often see that one does not do many, many practices, but rather that a practitioner (sadhaka) chooses one or two practices and does them repeatedly for several months at a time until the effects make themselves apparent.
- In the Yoga traditions transformation comes from repetition and time.
- We will take a glimpse into how one can go about learning the subtleties of practice and growing one’s own inner experience of pranayama.
- This is not a certification course; it is one of our spiritual practice (sadhana) offerings.
Note:
The Intensive has been completed.
Participants have access to the replays for the foreseeable future.
Who are the teachers?
Eddie Stern and Robert Moses
Who is this intensive course for?
This course is geared towards intermediate or advanced pranayama practitioners. One should already have a working knowledge of the three bandhas and be comfortable with short breath retentions.
What are the precautions?
You should not join this course if you are pregnant, have had recent abdominal surgery, have high blood pressure, lung disease, or heart disease. There are other pranayamas that are suitable for people with these conditions, but the breath holds and other practices done in this course would be contraindicative.
What to observe during the Intensive?
- This course will be a sadhana intensive, which means it’s an opportunity for you to be in a retreat-like practice in your own home. While you may still, of course, have to go to work and take care of your kids or pets, there are certain guidelines that you will want to follow.
- Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
- Eat a clean diet – vegetarian is good, but if you are not vegetarian, at least try to eat food that is clean. No fried food, heavy foods, or an excess of oils, sugars, or refined foods.
- Please avoid alcohol & narcotics and do not smoke.
- Prepare yourself to be inwardly focused for 10 days.
- Please practice your own asanas or other exercises before the Pranayama classes.
- Bandhas will be introduced slowly in stages.
Pranayamas that will be taught and practiced.
- Kapalabhati
- Resonance Breathing
- Nadi Samanu
- Nadi Shuddhi
- Bhastrika
- Kapola Shakti Vardhaka
- Karna Shakti Vardhaka
- Sitali / Sitkari
- Bhramari
- Savasana
Weekend Break – Light practice on your own.
- Kapalabhati
- Resonance Breathing
- Nadi Samanu
- Nadi Shuddhi
- Bhastrika
- Kapola Shakti Vardhaka
- Karna Shakti Vardhaka
- Sitali / Sitkari
- Bhramari
- Savasana
Click here for a Bibliography.
A sampling of books that Robert & Eddie have drawn inspiration from for their own sadhana and pranayama practice.