The Nectar of Prāṇāyāma
Advanced Teaching Immersion
November 4th ~ 5th | 8:30 am ~ 4:30 pm daily
What teachers say about our immersions
Clare Lovelace | creative director | soul tribe studio
"I've been blessed enough to study with Rachel over the last year. I absolutely love the flexibility of studying online via Zoom with Rachel. The current Pranayama course I'm taking is extremely practical, thorough, and enjoyable. I'm learning the power of this practice for myself, and I'm also able to transfer this to my students to teach more effectively. Rachel is an incredibly knowledgeable, integral teacher. Her warmth, passion, and enthusiasm are infectious. I love studying on Zoom as I don't have to travel. The sessions flow really well, and there's a good mix of practical, theory, and group work. Highly recommend!"
Yoga teachers, you are invited to join me for this weekend immersion into the wisdom of Prāṇāyāma. Please join me in my quest to share and demystify these important and effective practices of Prāṇāyāma. We will immerse in-person to experience an uplifting combination of practice, techniques, and the principles of Prāṇāyāma.
You will gain a deeper understanding of the hows and the whys of Prāṇāyāma so that you can confidently lead specific breath classes and expand this into your current classes and private sessions. My hope is that you will also refine and expand your ability to design and teach a well-thought-out and effective Prāṇāyāma practice with a particular goal in mind.
As my teacher, Dr. Candrasekaran, says, “ Every technique in Yoga is like clay. Whatever product comes out of a lump of clay is entirely in the hand of the potter. In the same way, whatever effect comes out of a Yoga technique is entirely in the hands and teaching methodology of the teacher.”
We will unpack some of the ancient texts. In Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras, he defines Prāṇāyāma (2;49), he gives a method (2.50) and the benefits/fruits of practice (2.51 & 2.52). In this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the classical Prāṇāyāmas as taught in the Krishnamaracya tradition. We will chant and reflect on Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras, some quotes from the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Bhairava Tantra, and Bhagavad Gītā. These ancient texts invite us into the symbolism, intention, and results of a committed Prāṇāyāma practice.
“Practice Prāṇāyāma with attention, then when the breath
becomes long and smooth, the mind is ready for meditation” Krishnamacharya
There is only one way to reach the mind, through the breath as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika Says
"Cale vate calam cittam
Niscale miscall bhavet"
If the breath wanders, so does the mind.
When the breath is calmed, the mind is also calmed. So the breath is the way to reach the mind.
Techniques we will cover:
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Pūraka Prāṇāyāma
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Recaka Prāṇāyāma
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Kumbhaka
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Ujjāyī
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Anuloma ujjāyī
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Viloma ujjāyī
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Candra bedana
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Sūrya bedana
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Nadi śodhana
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Sītali
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Kapālabhāti
Principles of Prāṇāyāma covered
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Three gates of awareness Prāṇāyāma -Desa (place/technique)- Kala (time/rhythm) - Samkhya (repetition/number)
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Vinyāsa of Prāṇāyāma - the order we work in
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Energetics / kleśa / Prāna / Agni / Mala
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Brmhana, langhana, Samāna
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Āsana considerations in preparation for Prāṇāyāma
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1;1 breath assessment & coaching
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Teaching techniques, breaking things down, modifications
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Application - what and when to teach
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Breath ratios in sitting & in āsana (Visamavrtti / Samavrtti)
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Mantra & Bhavana in prāṇāyāma
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Bandha as an extension of Prāṇāyāma
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The art and science of class design
Dates, timings, and inclusions
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2-day in-person immersion at Ray Of Light, Long Beach.
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The immersion includes a delicious menu.
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An electronic PDF manual will be emailed to those who don’t have the ROL YTT manual.
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Certificates and CPD points are available for those with memberships to Yoga Australia or Yoga Alliance.
Investment
Residential: $750, includes 2/3 nights accommodation (arrive Friday and stay until Monday for no extra cost), breakfast, lunch and light supper, and training materials.
Day rates available on request