Wings of Pranayama - Phase 2

22-Day Pranayama Training Course for Experienced Practitioners or those seeking to refine their skills.

Completion of Phase 1 i.e., 'Roots of Pranayama' is a prerequisite, or participants must successfully pass an assessment before enrollment. The training spans 4 intensive weeks, offering a deep dive into advanced Pranayama practices.

This course is designed to progressively deepen your Pranayama practice through guided

instruction, self-exploration, personal growth & consistency.

But, why Do We Need to Learn Pranayama?

Humans are a unique species, endowed by nature with incredible techniques and knowledge that no other animal possesses. At birth, nature provides us with an innate “software” to ensure the proper functioning of our systems—respiratory, muscular, endocrine, nervous, and more. Additionally, we have the remarkable ability to reprogram this software to suit our needs. However, we often fail to utilize this ability, leading to malfunctions in our systems.

From childhood, we are influenced by numerous factors that create stories in our memories. These memories form at different levels of consciousness—conscious, subconscious, and unconscious—each with its own voice. When our emotions become overwhelming, such as feeling sad for a particular reason, it is not the sadness itself that is problematic, but our inability to control and recognize it. Unchecked emotions can create negative stories, destabilizing our systems and leading to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Pranayama, or breath control exercises, can help us recognize and correct these malfunctions. By practicing Pranayama, we can erase errors in our “software” and return to a stable, original state. Eventually, you will learn how to create your own personalized “software,” a deeply individual journey.

Before embarking on this journey, we need to achieve Sthiram (stability) to understand and correct our malfunctions. This requires Sankalpa (intention), Sadhana (practice), and Sthiram (stability).

Meditation

Meditation is a deeply personal journey for each individual and cannot be generalized.

Why Should We Meditate?

Meditation is the process of moving from a stable position to a thoughtless journey.

How to Meditate:

1. Sit in a stable position.

2. Close your eyes.

3. Normalize your breath.

4. Get your body into a Sthiram position.

What Exactly Happens in Meditation?

Nothing will happen, and that is true. You might have heard different stories, but as we mentioned before, meditation is a very individual journey.

Is It Possible to Be Without Thoughts?

Thoughts can manufacture and manipulate our emotions, whether they are sad, happy, angry, or any other kind. When emotions overwhelm us, our natural systems can malfunction.

How to Reach a Thoughtless Stage?

To reach this stage, certain practices are necessary, primarily Pranayama. Pranayama practice helps you achieve a stable, Sthiram position. We should not control thoughts, nor should thoughts control us; instead, we must let them be free. From childhood, we are influenced by both positive and negative factors. When you close your eyes, you revisit these stories. These stories can originate from various sources like muscle memory, nervous memory, and respiratory memory, and are recreated in your imagination. These stories can create more stories and memories, which are stored in different “data packs.”

To concentrate, observe your breath—inhale and exhale. Simply close your eyes and listen to and observe your breathing. This is called the Sthiram position. You will experience your heartbeat and breathing. With practice, one day you will reach a stage where thoughts do not control you. Reaching a thoughtless stage mean you are not a human.

Course Structure:

• Weeks 1-3: These three weeks will involve guided, structured practice under the close supervision of the teacher.

• Week 4: The final week is dedicated to self-practice. This allows you to internalize what you have learned, explore your progress independently, and delve deeper into your practice.

  
  

Sundays will be off to rest and rejuvenate.

Detailed Structure of the Training:

Week 1: Revising Malfunctions

This week, we will build on the foundations of Phase 1 practices, introducing more advanced techniques to deepen your Pranayama journey.

Morning Practices:

• Advanced Techniques:

  • Introduction of Kumbhak (breath retention) practices.

  • Exploration of Bandhas (energy locks) to enhance the flow of prana.

  • Incorporation of Mudras (hand gestures) to facilitate energy alignment.

  • Addition of one more Kriya to intensify the practice.

    
    

Evening Session:

• A calming session of Yoga Nidra to promote deep relaxation and internal exploration.

Week 2: Intensive Practice

We will focus on intensifying the practice, applying all the Pranayama techniques learned so far with greater depth and consistency.

Morning Practices:

• Intensive Pranayama Practice:

  • Perform intensive and sustained practice of all previously learned techniques.

  • Further exploration of Kriyas and mantra chanting to enhance the overall practice.

Evening Session:

• A calming session of Yoga Nidra to promote deep relaxation and internal exploration.

Week 3: Observing and Analyzing

Monitoring each system in our body, analyzing how to incorporate practices into daily life, and enhancing our ability to recreate our own “software.”

In the final week of the course, the focus will be on continuation and integration of consistent practice. Practitioners will be encouraged to deepen their self-awareness and incorporate the learned practices into their daily lives.

Morning Practices:

• Consistent Practice:

  • Continuation of the Pranayama techniques and Kriyas introduced in previous weeks.

• Self-Understanding:

  • Encouragement to explore a deeper understanding of oneself through mindful practice.

  • Reflection on personal growth and challenges faced during the course.

• Integration into Daily Life:

  • Focus on how to integrate Pranayama and meditation practices into everyday routines.

  • Enhancing the ability to “recreate your own software” — developing habits and thought patterns that align with your personal transformation.

Evening Session:

• A calming session of Yoga Nidra to promote deep relaxation and internal exploration.