WHAT IS PRANAYAMA?

 

We all breathe every minute of every day – but are we doing it properly?

 

Pranayama is the practise of breath awareness and control. The Sanskrit words 'Pran' and 'Ayam' translate as 'management' and 'enhancement' of breath. 'Pran' can also be interpreted as life force or vital energy.

 

Why is it so important to learn how to breathe?

 

Breathing is naturally cleansing: Correct breathing increases the flow of oxygen around the body, giving us the energy to function, whilst simultaneously flushing out toxins. It is also used to develop concentration and to steady the mind, which is key to asana (yoga poses) and to meditation.

 

The value of attending a pranayama All in the Breath workshop:

 

Time spent in guided practice will teach you to breathe in fresh ways and to optimal capacity. Although there is much information in books and on the internet surrounding the breath, the value of personal, step-by-step hands-on guidance is essential.

 

Pranayama is as much a fine art as a precise science. Each pranayama technique has a unique effect. It is like taking a different medicine every time. Mastery of technique is therefore important for ensuring the effects are maximised and safe.

 

MaxineYoga's  All In The Breath workshops are tailored to the specific needs and experiences of the individual or group – so whether you are new to pranayama or are seeking to develop an established practice, you will have the chance to develop your knowledge and to take your understanding to a higher level.

 

What is covered?

 

These practical, experiential classes offer a unique opportunity to focus on breathing, something that is rarely covered in such depth in a regular yoga class, yet is fundamental to your yoga practise

 

– we will (re)visit the fundamentals of pranayama techniques and how pranayama relates to the '8 limbs of yoga', and yoga philosophy.

–  this will include traditional preparatory practices to prepare the body, plus key breathing techniques as per the original yogic texts.  ( Yoga Sutras of Patangali, The Hatha Pradipika)

– you will learn to use breath as a tool for meditation, and as a practice of purification for spiritual growth as suits your interests and experience

– you will be guided as to when and how to include pranayama in your daily life, in your yoga practice, in meditation (and/or in your own teaching,

.– you will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive expert guidance, whether one-to-one or in a small group class

 

About Maxine's pranayama training and experience:

 

Maxine is a certified pranayama and yoga teacher from the Kaivalaydhama Institute in Lonavla, India, one of the most establised yoga institutes in the world. Over the last 20 years she has practiced and been taught personally under the guidance of her teacher Sri O.P Tiwari, one of the most respected pranayama masters in India today. Alongside her UK training, she also completed advanced pranayama courses at the Kaivalyadhama Institute, over which Sri O.P Tiwari presides.

 

Maxine has also studied for over a decade with her other principal teacher, Dr Ananda Balayogi, medical doctor, yoga therapist and yogi from a revered lineage. He is the founder of the Centre of Yoga Therapy Education and Research (CYTER) and is one of the foremost professionals in the advance of yoga therapy today.

Maxine's Pranayama workshops have been an integral part of MaxineYoga classes for over a decade. Offering personalised guidance from the relaxed and focused comfort of her London home studio or via live stream sessions, beginners and seasoned practitioners alike have come to learn or to delve deeper into their own practice.

 

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