BREATH-FOCUSED YOGA
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
Yoga is the science of consciousness, and a 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, connection & 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 techniques to realize our true nature. When practiced correctly, these techniques optimize human health in totality by using the body to master the breath, energy & mind.
Our mind is our greatest tool, but our culture has forgotten how to take care of it. My focus here at Akara is on sharing yoga with a focus on the breath, because I believe breathing correctly to be the most important and accessible tool available for a healthy mind.
To achieve optimum breathing we practice yoga exercise and meditation in this order:
DYNAMIC MOVEMENT
energize & strengthen the body
increase breath capacity
LONG HOLDING POSTURES
open & stretch the body
relax energy & concentrate the mind
BREATH PRACTICE
(PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION)
oxygenate & vitalize the body
optimize energy levels
deepen presence & achieve a still mind
Yoga is the science of consciousness, and a 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, connection & 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 techniques to realize our true nature. When practiced correctly, these techniques optimize human health in totality by using the body to master the breath, energy & mind.
Our mind is our greatest tool, but our culture has forgotten how to take care of it. My focus here at Akara is on sharing yoga with a focus on the breath, because I believe breathing correctly to be the most important and accessible tool available for a healthy mind.
To achieve optimum breathing we practice yoga exercise and meditation in this order:
DYNAMIC MOVEMENT
energize & strengthen the body
increase breath capacity
LONG HOLDING POSTURES
open & stretch the body
relax energy & concentrate the mind
BREATH PRACTICE
(PRANAYAMA & MEDITATION)
oxygenate & vitalize the body
optimize energy levels
deepen presence & achieve a still mind
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.
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
- 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.
PRANA & CREATIVITY
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art."
― Leonardo Da Vinci
“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.
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.
Find out more about developing your creative practice through yoga