Pranayama

[Guest guest]

On the topic of moving on: some old-timers may

recall that we discussed the question of when pranayama

is taught in ashtanga. Some folks said it's after

third series.<br><br>Recently I attended a workshop in

which the presenter, a wonderful teacher (certified in

fact) led us through a session that included four

pranayamas -- up through nadi shodhana -- and encouraged us

to continue on our own. I've done so and been

pleased with the results so far. I had played arond with

pranayama before but it had never really

"taken."<br><br>I'm interested to hear from other ashtangis who have

a separate pranayama practice. Where did you learn

it? How does it differ from the pranayama of other

yoga systems? Are there any particular asanas, beyond

the basic hip-openers, that you feel have most

impacted the pranayama practice?<br><br><br>Peace and

Good,<br>Homer

[Guest guest]

The bandhas are the most important aspect of

pranayama if it had to be taken apart. Think of them as

circuit breakers for the tremendous electrical surge

generated by the practice of pranayama.<br><br>Sri KP has

instructed me many days in pranayama. For the 1st 3 months,

we practiced together. Subsequently, he would sit

across from me and watch and nod. <br><br>After one

session he said "yes, you practice daily, you doing good

work, working, you not get tired." Profound? Eloquent?

I'm not sure, but the message is accurate, do the

pranayama and watch your prana increase!<br><br>Yours in

yoga,

[Guest guest]

That's a pretty inspirational (pun intended)

message for the benefits of pranayama, something I've not

given a fair shake to up til' now.<br><br>I also like

what you had to say some months ago about the need to

"give a lot of prana" to vinyasa practice. I forget how

you put it exactly...maybe you said "this practice

demands a lot of prana." Anyway, I found that keeping

this attitude of 'giving prana to the practice' to be

extremely helpful.