Asana, Pranayama & Kriyas

ASANA: An asana is defined as a posture which gives steadiness and comfort. Steadiness will come when your attention is fixed either on the breath or sensations in the part of the body being worked upon or on the body movement in certain asanas. An asana can be perfected by learning to hold the posture in relaxation (relaxing unnecessary effort and tension).

I practiced yoga asanas under many teachers before I went to do my Teacher's Training at the Yoga Institute. I will always be grateful for the beautiful way in which they teach asanas. Behind each asana is a Bhava, a feeling. For example, forward bends create a feeling a of let go and surrender. Backward bends require effort and give confidence. Meditative asanas create a dharma bhava, a feeling of stillness in which your duties and responsibilities (chosen by you) become clear.

Another aspect I enjoyed at the institute was the simplicity of all the practices. All asanas affect the mind and it is not required to contort your body in fabulous acrobatic poses to achieve peace, harmony and a feeling of being energised.

I would recommend the 7-day camp and of course the teacher trainings to anyone wanting to live a yogic life.

PRANAYAMA: (Prana- bio energy; Ayama- control / management / expansion.) The essence of pranayama is to breathe effortlessly; your inhalation should merge with retention, retention should merge with exhalation, exhalation merging into suspension or holding your breath outside. The breath is usually smooth, rhythmic and long during the practice of pranayama.

I have enjoyed pranayama immensely with Swamiji. His classes are a blend of yoga asanas and pranayama. His intuitive knowledge of the body and his ability to be able to sense the energy of the student makes his classes a joyful challenge!

At the Institute, Dr Jaydev once put it very beautifully that the purpose of pranayama was to become one with God. When with time and practice the pranayama can be done effortlessly, it creates wonderful states of mind.

KRIYA: (Kri- to do) Cleansing techniques such as Jal Neiti, Tratak and Kapalbhati. Asana is a comfortable posture; for complete comfort, cleanliness is essential. Impurities will distract the mind. Jal Neiti cleans the eyes, nose and sinuses. Tratak results in concentration and  helps to strengthen the eye muscles and stimulates tears to clean the eyes.