Pranayama – Weekly Advanced Class 232

This class features pranayama and breath awareness. It begins with restorative poses such as supta baddha konasana, setu bandha sarvangasana and viparita karani to open your chest and prepare you for a session of both reclining and seated pranayama. Once basic breath observation has been established, the class progresses towards ujjayi pranayama, where you consciously deepen your exhalation, and then inhalation. You eventually move towards viloma pranayama, where you pause the breath flow in intervals during inhalation and exhalation. The class initially explores seated pranayama using a yoga chair. This helps you to lift your spine without creating tension and hardness in the diaphragm region. Eventually these techniques are brought to a more traditional cross leg posture. In addition to having a calming effect on both a physical and mental level, pranayama can also help to lift energy if needed. It can leave you feeling more balanced, focused and productive.