YOGA FOR CREATIVITY
ONLINE GROUP YOGA SESSIONS
EVERY WEEK 

TUESDAYS - 18:15 - 19:30 - HATHA YOGA
BY DONATION

SUNDAYS - 9:30 - 10:00 - PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION
FREE
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ABOUT THE PRACTICE

Yoga is the oldest introspective practice on the planet, it is the science of consciousness, and the practice of self-inquiry. Passed down through the ancient Indian wisdom tradition, it is globally relevant to any person wishing to know more about human nature and live life with more presence, awareness & inspiration.

At Akara, I share the teachings of Traditional Hatha Yoga (part of the Raja Yoga path) which instructs us to practice a range of energetic techniques to achieve a still mind - an essential quality for any creative person.

To achieve a still mind, we practice techniques in this order:

DYNAMIC ASANA
(Movement)
warm up & strengthen the body
activate the breath

LONG HOLDING ASANA
(Postures)
deeply stretch & open the body
regulate the breath
cultivate prana
turn awareness inward

NIDRA
(Deep relaxation)
rest the body
store prana
withdraw from the senses

PRANAYAMA
(Energy control through breathing)
oxygenate & vitalize the body
balance & manipulate prana

DHARANA & DHYANA
(concentration & meditation)
concentrate the mind
increase awareness
achieve inner stillness
WHAT IS PRANA ?

”Prana is the sum total of all energy that is manifest in the universe. It is the sum total of all the forces in nature. It is the sum total of all latent forces and powers which are hidden in men and which lie everywhere around us. Heat, light, electricity, magnetism are the manifestations of Prana.”

- Swami Sivananda

Prana is the creative, subtle, life force energy that permeates all of existence.

We each have a layer of subtle energy permeating our physical body that exists on a more subtle plane than our simple sensory perception. In yoga it is known as the pranamayakosa. This energy layer is always active, and corresponds with how we feel, think & interact with the world. It dictates our focus, mental clarity, physical energy levels and ultimately, everything we do.
WHAT IS PRANAYAMA?

Pranayama is the control of prana through breathing. 

The hatha yoga system offers varied pranayama breathing exercises, there are many techniques for different purposes and many of them are for advanced practitioners only.

Here, I will focus on sharing with you a range of basic pranayamas which will -
regulate the nervous system, relax the body, balance your energy, still your mind and help you focus.​​​​​​​
PRANA & CREATIVITY


“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."

― Leonardo Da Vinci

What is known in the Indian tradition of yoga as Prana is known by the Ancient Chinese as Qi, the Egyptians as Ka, the Greeks as Pneuma, the Hawaiians as Mana, and the Romans as Spiritus.
It is what Da Vinci refers to here as spirit, and it is the etymological root of the words inspiration & respiration. It has long been understood that there is a vital connection between prana and creativity.

Our capacity to be inspired is everything for creative practice. Whether an artist, designer, musician, dancer, or writer, it is commonly misunderstood that inspiration comes in waves and is out of our control. However, when we learn to change our physiology, we are able to open ourselves effortlessly to inspiration.
Through expanding our breath, we invite a higher flow of prana, and with more prana, we have more concentration, clarity, and openness for creativity. Managing our creative energy is truly the path to successful creative practice, and the yoga system shows us the way.