Sunday, February 26
1:30–4:30pm
with Mark Stephens
Pranayama, the yogic art of breathing, is the heart of yoga practice. It is the awakening and movement of subtle energy through conscious breathing, visualization and physical action. Through these techniques we create inner awareness, balance and ease.
In this workshop we will start by exploring the natural breath as the first step in refining the practice of basic yogaic breathing, Ujjayi Pranayama, then explore breath retention practices ("khumbakas") to expand and smooth out the breath. Here we will begin to experience how mental and physical forces interact in our breathing as we practice controlling different aspects of the breath. We will then explore the balancing effects of Nadi Sodhana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) and the invigorating benefits of Kapalabhati (skull cleansing) and Bastrika pranayama (bellows breath).
Throughout the workshop, we will create pauses to fully absorb ourselves in the shifting qualities of awareness generated by each technique.
Price: $25 early bird by 2/26, $35 thereafter.
