The Bandhas, Pranayama, and Patanjali
Yoga posture practice is an inwards journey of somatic self enquiry. The body is the doorway, and the bandhas are the key to spiritual embodiment. By establishing structural and energetic coherence in the whole body they transform your learned perceptual and motor pathways towards wholeness. As your nervous system is released from its old habits your experience of being embodied is radically transformed. In the felt presence of wholeness you become more willing to give, ready to share, and able to live in authenticity, dignity and grace.
This two day workshop will teach you how to activate the bandhas individually and in the whole of your body (Sarvangabandha). When you become able to integrate the action of your arms (hastabandha) and legs (padabandha) with your spine the three core bandhas become accessible in almost any posture. The accessibility and power of your core bandhas will be developed with pranayama practices that strengthen the muscles of your core, from your pelvic floor to your throat. The coherence that experiencing the bandhas in the whole of your body provides generates a deep sense of safety, within which you are held by the singular power of Wholeness.
You will learn how to access and develop the power of the core bandhas in the seated stillness of pranayama, and apply that power with the support of the peripheral bandhas in the flow of your posture practice. Whatever style of yoga you enjoy this workshop will allow you to enhance and refine your pratice.
This workshop is open and accessible to anyone able to walk upstairs unaided, especially those who feel in any way vulnerable within the accelerating chaos of a world undergoing deep and destructive transformation. Your willingness and ability to embrace your vulnerabilities within the power of wholeness, and face external challenge with courage will be deeply enhanced.
Washington DC, USA
17th/18th August
This two day workshop will teach you how to activate the bandhas individually and in the whole of your body (Sarvangabandha). When you become able to integrate the action of your arms (hastabandha) and legs (padabandha) with your spine the three core bandhas become accessible in almost any posture. The accessibility and power of your core bandhas will be developed with pranayama practices that strengthen the muscles of your core, from your pelvic floor to your throat. The coherence that experiencing the bandhas in the whole of your body provides generates a deep sense of safety, within which you are held by the singular power of Wholeness.
You will learn how to access and develop the power of the core bandhas in the seated stillness of pranayama, and apply that power with the support of the peripheral bandhas in the flow of your posture practice. Whatever style of yoga you enjoy this workshop will allow you to enhance and refine your pratice.
This workshop is open and accessible to anyone able to walk upstairs unaided, especially those who feel in any way vulnerable within the accelerating chaos of a world undergoing deep and destructive transformation. Your willingness and ability to embrace your vulnerabilities within the power of wholeness, and face external challenge with courage will be deeply enhanced.
Washington DC, USA
17th/18th August