Follow this link for details of Online 121 Art of Prāṇāyāma eStudy Modular options
The Viniyoga of Prāṇāyāma Modular Workshop and Courses
– Empower your Breath Exploring how to Customise Prāṇāyāma
This page introduces the Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Modular Workshop and Courses Student Study Programme. As the student progresses through the interlinked and developmental Modules they will experience in-depth learning in all areas of Prāṇāyāma practice and Prāṇāyāma study theory.
”Use Āsana for problems of the body and
Prāṇāyāma for problems of the mind.”
– T Krishnamacharya
Together these Modules will initiate and empower the student in the arts of learning to skilfully work with the principles that underpin creating and sustaining a personalised Prāṇāyāma practice. The outcome will be the ability to independently and intelligently choose, adapt and ultimately self-develop and self-refine our personal Prāṇāyāma Sādhana in the fields of Prāṇāyāma practice and study theory.
The Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Modules Framework
The Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Modules reflects the teachings of TKV Desikachar and his father and teacher T Krishnamacharya as taught to Paul Harvey over 25 years through:
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To present a view of the Application of Prāṇāyāma to help develop our practice and deepen our relationship with Yoga Sādhana. It is offered with respect for the vital source from which these Yoga teachings originated and their place in our age and culture. Its role is not to train students as Yoga teachers.
They are offered as a:
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The Module One Workshop and Modules Two to Three Courses offer a deep and profound training in the Viniyoga of Prāṇāyāma and how it inspires and guides our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
The Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Module One Workshop
offers a two-day workshop opportunity for a student who has undertaken the Application of Āsana and Mudrā Modules, to have an in-depth introduction to the primary principles and teachings on the Application of Prāṇāyāma practice and Prāṇāyāma study theory and how they inspire and guide our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
Follow the link for further details of the Live Small Group Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Module One Workshop.
As well as being complete in itself it offers a necessary foundation for those interested in a further study through the two-day Module Courses Two to Three on Prāṇāyāma practice and Prāṇāyāma study theory.
The Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma – Course Modules Two to Three
Are both two-day course modules, totalling over 20 hours on Prāṇāyāma Practice techniques and personal practice planning theory.
They are intended for a maximum of five students from any background or style who, having completed an Application of Prāṇāyāma Module One Workshop, wish to explore the primary principles and teachings on Prāṇāyāma practice and application of theory in customising Prāṇāyāma practice for personal use.
The Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Modular Course topics are listed below for each two-day Module:
- Module Two – 10 hours
– Why and how of using Intermediate Prāṇāyāma Techniques within a Yoga practice - Module Three – 10 hours
– Why and how of using Advanced Prāṇāyāma Techniques within a Yoga practice
Follow the link for further details on the Live Small Group Art of Application of Prāṇāyāma Module Courses Two to Three.
The Link between the practice limbs of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam
One of the hallmarks of Krishnamacaharya’s and Desikachar’s teaching focused on the developmental and progressive integration of the different aspects of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam into a single constantly evolving organism. Thus in honouring the Paramparā it is not possible for me to separate these four practice components into four completely disconnected study topics to be learnt in any random order.
The way I was taught was that a knowledge of the practice and planning principles within Āsana are necessary to appreciate the practice and planning principles within Mudrā. From there a knowledge of the practice and planning principles within Āsana and Mudrā are necessary to appreciate the practice and planning principles within Prāṇāyāma, and so with Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma regarding Dhyānam.
So to summarise we need to be grounded in the practice and theory of Āsana in order to develop our study of the practice and theory of Mudrā. The same goes for the study of Prāṇāyāma being an extension of the practice and study of Āsana and Mudrā. Finally, the practice of Dhyānam is an extension of the practice of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma.
This was the message of Krishnamacaharya’s and Desikachar’s teaching in that we are learning to practice Yoga as a developmental, progressive, holistic process, rather than the more compartmentalised, learnt in any order, boxes of postures, breathing and meditation so prevalent in today’s Yoga market place.
“What good is the sword of wisdom
to cut away the chains of illusion
if the holder is too weak to bear it.”
– T Krishnamacharya
This same message is seen within the teachings and texts of Haṭha and Rāja Yoga in that we need to develop step by step the practice tools of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma in order to be prepared for the demands of Dhyānam.
