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'Pranayama, the yogic art of breathing, leads to a control of the emotions which in turn brings stability, concentration, and mental poise.' B.K.S.Iyengar
In my journey with yoga, pranayama is one of the pillars of my practice. Each day through the various explorations with pranayama I find new aspects of my subtle nature. Pranayama is one of the simplest techniques to realize that there is more to us than the body, the mind, the thoughts and emotions. Another voice emerges each time we practice to remind us that there is MORE, all we need do is be still and breathe. The only way to fully understand this is simply to open your heart, your mind and practice regularly.
In this retreat setting we will begin each day with a variety of pranayama practices. Some will heat you up and
others will cool you down. In this process you will begin to identify which work for you and also which can benefit you during the
course of your day and practice. Also during these sessions we will focus on the three bandhas which are very important to all Hatha
Yoga practices. Some pranayamas we will touch on are: Samavritt, bhastrika, kapalbhati, viloma, anuloma, nadi shodhana, surya bheda,
and chanda bheda. Not all pranayama practices are appropriate for all circumstances so it is important to know which benefit you
when, so.... Each of the morning sessions will begin with surya namaskars to warm, and open your body and then we journey inwards
through the pathway of the majestic life-giving breath. Once you begin to experience prana your whole perspective of this life
takes on a myriad of new and evigorating colours. Be still and breathe, see what there is to see.
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Michael J. Stewart is a Hatha Yoga teacher with a varied background. He is known internationally as a Movement facilitator, African Drumming teacher, Choreographer and Theatre director. Michael's Yoga journey has taken him from the Jivamukti studio in New York City to study with Iyengar teachers Sharat Arora and Rajiv Chenchani in India and back to Dharma Mittra in New York. His teaching is inspired by the spirituality of Swami Sivananda and the deep insight of Patanjali. Michael's philosophy on teaching is: "in order to be a good teacher one must be a good student".
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