Session 8 - Attention & Presence | Week 8
Contemplation:
You have to give prana the gift of your attention, you have to give it prana the gift of your presence - Indu Arora
Reflection in Final Guidebook
Session 7- Prana: through Abhyasa towards Purpose | Week 7
Contemplation:
Abhyasa: Repetition is applied to our practice with respect, reverence, effort, and enthusiasm supporting and guiding each of us on our path towards and through our purpose. —Kaya Mindlin
Reflection:
How do respect, reverence, enthusiasm, and effort come up in your practices.
Create your own 5-7 minute asana sequence to prepare for your pranayama practice.
Session 6- the power of pause | Week 6
Reflection:
How is noticing to khumbaka or that natural pause between inhale and exhale for you? What do you notice in that pause?
What is the role of pause in your daily life? If present, how do pauses help you garner presence and guide your toward purpose?
Session 5- Luminosity at Center | Week 5
Reflection:
How does your practice of pranayama lead you to connect to something greater than yourself?
Session 4- Prāṇa flows | Week 4
Contemplation:
At the top of your spinal cord is the nectar rayed moon which faces downward and pours nectar down day and night. This ambrosia divides into 2 subtle parts. One, flows through the channel iḍā is on the left, is like a milky ray of the moon and is the giver of nourishment. The right channel, pingalā is a for of the sun it has the force of creation and destruction and is the giver of enlightenment.
Reflection:
Where are finding small, subtle moments of flow in your practices (pranayama, yoga, and beyond)?
Session 3- Prāṇa & The Present Moment
Contemplation:
The breath is always in the present moment - Unknown (Some wise person on a plant-related podcast)
Reflection:
Have you noticed any subtle shifts that have come from spending a little more time with your breath and prana? There’s no right answer, what you notice might feel beneficial, complex, or still unfolding!
Session 2 - Prāṇa: Within & Beyond Breath
Contemplation:
In Vedic Scripture, prāṇa is the spirit of the universe. The breath is material and outer, but the prāṇa [life force] carried by the breath is subtle, unseeable. Prāṇa is within the breath, and yet, greater than the breath. This is the primal life force of everything that exists, including you. ~ Kaya Mindlin
Reflection:
Have you noticed any subtle shifts that have come from spending a little more time with your breath and prana? There’s no right answer, what you notice might feel beneficial, complex, or still unfolding!
Session 1 - A Simple Start
Contemplation:
"Start in a simple way, it will take you all the way." - Swami Tattvavidānanda
Reflection:
Where in your daily routine could you add or expand or appreciate a short and simple moment of checking in with your breath, body, and prana?
Think 3 breaths upon waking or after a meal or before you tidy or sit for couch time. Connecting this to a current habit or routing can make it easier.
Especially, if you’ve answered this question before on your in PPG, reflect on what has shifted in and what has remained constant in your “answer” and within yourself since then and now.
Lil’ Extras
Q+A: Blocked Nostrils.
Here’s a quick demo of how one could gently widen their nasal passage during Nadi Shodhana. Some folks in the yogic tradition suggest a practice known as Jala Neti. Here is helpful video from my teacher Arundhati from Aham Yoga explaning the process. Do use distilled or recently boiled, but cooled water. Please know this is not medical advise.