When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
This weekend I had my 11th Yogateacher Training. The main focus of the weekend was a introduction into the topic of Prana in general and especially Pranayama.
Friday
17:00-19:30: Talk on Prana, Pranayama and Breathing Journey
Saturday
9:00-10:30: Asana Practice
10:45-12:15: Pranayama Practice
15:00-19:30: Talk with internal general medicine doctor on internal diseases and what a yoga teacher has to know about them
Sunday:
09:00-11:00: Asana and Pranayama Practice
11:30-13:30: Didactics of Pranayama
The weekend focused on following techniques:
- Abdominal breathing
- Full Yogic Breath
- Kapalbhati
- Nadi Shodana
- Ujjayi
- Omkara
- Bhramari
Also the Asana practice of the weekend was focused on preparing for the Pranayama Sessions.
This was a very intense and insightful weekend for me. I have noticed changes in my breathing through my more intense yoga practice. Many questions I had regarding these changes in my body have now been answered. I found the yoga practice this weekend to be very integral, fulfilling and peaceful. This training weekend will probably be one of my favorite weekends.
We now start to develop a own pranayama practice. Our Yogateacher provided us a starting pranayama practice round about 20 minutes. I will now do this practice 4 times a week and write a diary about my experiences for a few weeks. Afterwards I will develop together with my teacher a individual practice.
