Pranayama Essentials – Weekly Intermediate Class 75

Pranayama is the focus of this weeks intermediate class. Restorative poses such as supta baddha konasana and setu bandha sarvangasana are used at the beginning of the class to prepare for pranayama. These poses help to open your chest and make you more aware of your breath.

Ujjayi and viloma pranayama are then explored from a reclining position. The class then heads towards seated pranayama. A chair is used initially for this purpose. Sitting in the chair helps to lift your spine without creating tension and hardness in the diaphragm region. The jalandhara bandha chin lock can then be introduced without your chest dropping. Eventually these techniques are used in a simple cross leg posture. Ujjayi and viloma pranayama are then practiced using this seated position. The class will help to confirm the fundamentals of pranayama practice and restorative yoga.