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Prana can
be translated as the "life
force" or
"vital energy". On a physical level it is
intimately connected with the breath. The
science of pranayama offers us a means of
extending the breathing capacity, revitalising
the cells and organs of the body, thereby
improving our health and longevity.
But pranayama has other more
subtle implications and ramifications. It acts
directly to cleanse, calm, balance and focus
the mind on the higher positive aspects of our
being. In this way it opens up channels to
meditation and higher realms of perception.
The
Workshop
During the workshop you will be
introduced to the science and mystery of prana
and the practise of pranayama. We will start
off from the beginning with the complete yogic
breath. Building on this platform we will
explore a variety of yoga breathing techniques,
learn how and when to use them in our daily
life, and how to integrate them into our yoga
sadhana.
Questions to
Leela Mata:
Question:
What is the
relation between the natural breathing rhythm
through the right and left nostril and the
doshas and time cycles during a day.
Answer:
About every
two hours the dominancy of the nostril changes,
and it has a direct relationship with our brain
activity.
When the right nostril is
dominant, it is affecting the activity of the
left hemisphere of the brain which means that
the logical and practical side of the
personality is functioning at its peak. When
the left nostril is dominant then the
imaginative and intutive nature is more
expressed because now the right brain is being
accessed.
By paying attention to the breath we can
realise our best capacity at the moment, and we
can learn to regulate our living so that we
make best use of this knowledge.
Question:
When my yoga
class starts with Pranayama and Kapalabhati I
have difficulties to breathe, because my left
nostril is often almost completely blocked.
What do you recommend in this case?
Answer:
For a blocked
nostril Neti is a very good practise. Also you
need to pay attention to your diet. For short
periods of time, maybe 10 to 15 minutes you
should plug up the right nostril so as to force
the left one to function. You can do this by
using some cotton lubricated with ghee.
You should also check with your
doctor to make sure that there is no growth or
obstruction in the nostril.
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