February 9: On the Board at Good Life Yoga

Pranayama:  Expansion of the Vital Life Force

Can you use a little life-force expansion in February?  I think so!

Yogis have worked with the breath as an extension of their prana for centuries.  The practice of Pranayama is one of the eight limbs of yoga:  Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

In general, there are many different types of breath exercises.  You will find them in just about every discipline of yoga.  In Anusara yoga, we practice many of them and with reverence.  Pranayama is often referred to as ‘control of the vital life force.’   Our Tantric perspective is that the life force cannot be controlled.  It can only be honored and offered the best quality and quantity of our attention and intention.

This week we prepare the body with deep hip openers and shoulder openers to receive the gift of the breath.  We’ll practice Ujjayi, Anuloma and Pratiloma Pranayama.  In our meditation practice we will observe the breath, nurture the breath and marvel at its capacity to move through all parts of ourselves.

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