The most commonly known practice of yoga in the West is asana, which is the poses that come to mind when we think of “yoga”. Pranayama is complementary practice of yoga (one of 8 practices, or “limbs”, of yoga detailed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) which involves specific methods of breathing and breath control. Pranayama is sometimes integrated into asana practice but can also be a practice in and of itself.
This experience is a great overview of pranayama, and suitable whether this is something new or you have had previous exposure to yogic breathing. The session covers:
- explaining pranayama and how it fits into the broad practice of “yoga”
- outlining the basic physiological process of breathing
- definitions of common pranayama terms like brahmana, langhana, puraka, rechaka, vritti, kumbhaka, illustrated with practical exercises
- discussion, and practice, of inhale/exhale and hold ratios
Then you will be lead through a brief pranayama practice, developed based on your particular level of experience and background, which will include several methods. You will also receive a reference chart summarizing methods, including those you explored during the session.
DETAILS
Duration: 1½ hours Participants: 1-5 Weather Dependent: No (in yurt)
Availability & Cost:
| as a Standalone Service | for Off-Grid Retreat Guests | part of SoulTrail Day Retreat |
|---|---|---|
| not available | $95 flat rate | included |
| make request direct to host | more about Day Retreat |
Further info: about this service and the instructor
PREPARATION
What to wear. Lose or elastic clothing that permits free movement. It is helpful to have a warmer layer (e.g., sweater, hoodie, etc.) you can remove or put back on since some pranayama practices are warming, while others are cooling.
What to bring. If you have a yoga mat of your own, bring it. If this is your first SoulTrail Yoga class, to make best use of time please download & print, read & sign, and bring these 2 forms with you.
Soul Trail 