Prana is the life force that travels along the breath. To sit with the breath is to sit with the essence of life itself. To control the breath is to directly influence & control our immediate wellbeing.
Pranayama (breath control) is a simple and fun technology we can use to calm the nervous system, focus the intellect, deepen our intuition, and meet the witness existing behind it all. Breathwork is a principal component of classical yogic practice, and ideal for folks who find it difficult to sit in meditation. It softens the fluctuations of the mind and creates a foundation for success in all yogic activities.
Join Sam for this weekend immersion, and you will:
-deepen your understanding of the physical anatomy of the breath (organs/muscles/bones, respiratory & nervous system)
-experience classical pranayama practices with the goal to create stillness of the mind
-enjoy bhakti breath practices including breath observation and devotional breathing with the goal to engage the soul
-discover the koshas, the layers of being (body/breath/mind/intuition/spirit)
-understand the vayus, the “winds” of the body the ways prana moves
-gain an understanding of the different energetics of the breath, come to know the hidden qualities of the inhale, exhale, & retention, as well as the science that supports it
-explore the ways posture (asana) and breath combine
-relish the wisdom of community with space to reflect on practices and experiences together
-leave with your own custom daily micro practice (2 mins or less) that addresses your individual needs
Breathing is a fundamental quality of simply being alive — to fall in love with the breath is a gift that will keep on giving, and multiply in dividends. If you can be blissfully content while simply breathing it is likely you can find bliss in anything. This weekend is a doorway for the experience of breath to move you, so you can hold the inhale and exhale as though they were the best gifts you’ve ever been given, because they are.
Please bring a yoga mat, journal and pen, and any personal props from home you’d like to use. Chair seating is available.