Deepen your Yoga Practice - Pranayama, Asana and Philosophy

With Paul Dallaghan

Eindhoven, De Yoga Studio www.deYogaStudio.nl

7 and 8 April 2012

Deepen your Yoga Practice

Pranayama is a fine science and a subtle art which requires time and a dedicated practice in order to be truly understood.  This weekend is a great way to begin a pranayama practice or to learn and practice refining an ongoing practice.

For beginners:  you will learn the basics and go home with a base practice.

More experienced:  you will be given personal help for refining your practice.

All students will learn and practice the techniques of pranayama as well as the philosophy of pranayama as a path to meditation.
The correct method and practice of techniques such as uddiyana, agni sara and kapalabhati. A number of preparatory practices that address the level of tension built up in the abdomen and throat/jaw region plus some of the classical pranayama techniques.

The key principles of alignment, integrity and energy will be the focus of each vinyasa asana session.  From alignment we get the correct grounding and extension while integrity identifies the correct muscular support.  Awareness and proper breathing added to this structure affects the energy that vinyasa can further affect.
All this informs us what really are bandhas, drishtis, vinyasas and ujjayi breaths.

The principles of Asana are universal and just need to be internalized through understanding and practice. With integrity and effort possibilities open up for everyone.

We will also have discussion sessions with Paul on both the practices and philosophy. Any questions you have are welcome.

The sessions are open to all levels of students.

Daily schedule

Saturday (8 – 12:30  &  2 – 4:30 )

8 – 10 am                   Pranayama with mantra and meditative contemplation (2 hrs)

This session will open with a contemplative approach that is perfect for you to continue with daily. We will then move into preparatory techniques with much explanation followed by practice of some of the basic pranayamas.

10 am – 12:30 pm      Asana in detail (2.5 hrs)

The art of vinyasa lies within the sun salutes. The keys of alignment and integrity can be found in the standing asanas. This can be more deeply applied in seated asanas. We will access the intelligence of asana practice so you can begin to apply into your already chosen approach of asana.

12:30 – 2 pm              lunch (1.5 hrs)

2 – 4:30 pm                Basic breathwork, discussion, Q&A, Pranayama  (2.5 hrs)

We will spend a little time on understanding the breath and learning how to connect with it. This will be followed by a discussion, brought to life by your questions with lively responses. Open questions on all topics, including hatha yoga, asana, pranayama, what is a spiritual practice and how does all this relate to daily life.

We will conclude the day with some of the classical techniques of pranayama.

Sunday (8 – 12:30)

8 – 10 am                   Pranayama with mantra and meditative contemplation (2 hrs)

Again we will open up with a contemplative meditation and continue on further with the pranayama techniques offering detailed explanation as needed.

10 am – 12:30 pm      Asana – poses of the first and second series (2.5 hrs)

Applying the intelligence of asana we will go through a selection of poses that come from the ashtanga first and second series.

12:30 – 1 pm              final discussion and Q&A  (1/2 hr)

Some clarity on what to continue at home for you as a personal pranayama practice, plus more on the philosophy and your questions.          

About Paul

Paul is a senior teacher of Pranayama, Asana and the meditative art and science of Yoga. He has been a dedicated student for over a decade of both Sri O.P.Tiwari, one of the few remaining classical yogis and masters of Pranayama, and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in ashtanga vinyasa. Both of these great teachers have personally certified Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor. Paul continues with Mantra practice from the yoga lineage and meditative approaches, influenced by the Thai Forest tradition. This combination of practice and study through dedication and devotion has helped him gain some understanding of practice and to apply this appropriately in Asana, Pranayama, Mantra recitation and Meditation for the different level of students he has the privilege to share the teaching with. He continues his studies in health, digestion, anatomy and physiology. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.

Paul grew up in Dublin, Ireland and completed formal university studies at Trinity College. He lived in New York for seven years where his life in yoga practice and teaching began. From 2001 to 2007 he focused six months a year on advanced yoga studies in India and various pilgrimage spots in Tibet, Thailand and India. With his wife, Jutima, they opened Samahita Yoga Thailand and are both the happy parents of two lovely boys, Sean and Dylan. He knows firsthand about raising a family and keeping a sincere connection with practice and internal development. This practical experience and love of the subject matter he shares with joy, intelligence and humour.

Please visit www.yoga-thailand.com and www.centeredyoga.com for more details.

Important: As soon as we have received your payment, your place in the training is guaranteed. In case of cancellation we hand the following refund policy:

Cancellations until February 1st 2012: 75 % refund
Cancellations until March 1st 2012: 50% refund
Cancellations after March 1st 2012: no refund