The Explore Pranayama Workshop

This workshop is for anyone who wants to breathe better, be it because of a specific breathing disorder, because they have the goal of increasing their endurance or deepening their meditation, or to address a feeling of not getting enough air or feeling stuck in their breath.

 WHAT TO EXPECT 

A short lecture on anatomy, psychology, and spirituality, followed by the active meditation breathing practice, and time to ask questions afterwards. What you will need to bring with you, yoga mats, blankets and towels. Wear comfortable clothes. Try not to eat a large meal beforehand. 

 ABOUT THE EXPLORE PRANAYAMA WORKSHOP 

• The Explore Pranayama workshop will alleviate stress and anxiety, while helping with concentration and sleep.
• Breathing exercises are good for your lungs, posture, oxygen intake, and blood pressure.
• The Explore Pranayama working combines psychotherapy and relaxation techniques.
• The Explore Pranayana workshop uses active meditation. This spiritual practice has physical and psychological benefits.

 DOES ONE—OR SEVERAL—OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR? 

• I just want to take a really deep breath.
• I can’t get enough air – there’s a tightness in my chest.
• I want to learn to be in the now.
• There are moments I have to hold back tears.
• I feel constantly overwhelmed.
• I feel stuck.
• I can’t slow down; it’s so hard to sit still even though I’m tired.
• I want to learn to be “in my body.”

 ACTIVE MEDITATION 

The Explore Pranayama workshop is active meditation. Active meditation is dynamic. It requires intentional breathing and determination. Though you are sitting or lying down, it requires that you push yourself like you do at the gym, and you get out it as much as the effort you put in. Active meditation has many of the benefits of hypnosis or a sweat lodge. The beauty of it is the instructions and steps are simple and straightforward. You have no preparation to do, and no homework afterward. After workshop, you’ll feel “lighter,” and have thought clarity. You will feel extremely relaxed and free of stress.

 NOT “REGULAR” MEDITATION? 

The Explore Pranayama workshop is different than "regular" meditation. In standard meditation you clear your mind of any thoughts and remain as still as possible. In active meditation you focus actively, just like you do in a sport. In this case, you push yourself to breathe in a very dynamic and energetic way.

 BENEFITS PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS 

The Explore Pranayama workshop also has psychological benefits. Active meditation has psychological benefits that are a great addition to any therapy. The increased oxygen flow and intense relaxation which automatically happens afterwards helps you “let go” of anger and sadness, letting you feel “unstuck” mentally. If you challenge yourself to “let go” (like you might with a chiropractor or massage therapist trying to go “deeper”) and ask yourself hard personal questions during the practice, you’ll be rewarded with clarity and strength.

 PHYSICAL BENEFITS 

The Explore Pranayama workshop has physical benefits. The Explore Pranayama workshop is a lung workout. It exercises your diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and, if practiced regularly, can positively affect your lung capacity and velocity (the two factors considered when looking at “lung age”). Increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain and body have significant physical impact on your wellbeing, and a host of health benefits.

 TAKE THIS WORKSHOP IF: 

1. You sense you are not breathing well and want to figure out what is wrong and how to fix it. 

2. You feel fatigued and want a natural way to energize yourself.

3. You lack focus, have problems with memory or concentration.

4. You are experiencing pain of any type (from fibromyalgia to back pain) and would like to take less pain medication and feel relief.

5. You are looking to stay young, rejuvenate, stay healthy, and stave off the oxidative stress of everyday life.

6. You want to feel more centered, more balanced. 

7. You suffer from symptoms of anxiety or depression. 

8. You are an athlete and want shorter recovery times between workouts or competitions. 

9. You lead a stressful life and are concerned about the effect of constant stress on your brain and body. 

10. You have trouble sleeping—you can’t turn your brain off or experience “chatter” that won’t stop. 

11. You’d like to be able to meditate, but have failed miserably in the past. 

12. You can’t get enough air, can’t take a deep breath, as if your breath gets “stuck” in your chest. 

13. You find you occasionally hold your breath (e.g., email apnea). 

14. You worry constantly, experience anxiety and feel overwhelmed by your stress. 

15. You have problems with short-term memory, usually with things you know that you know. 

16. You have plateaued with dieting, especially when it comes to belly fat. 

17. You suffered a trauma in your past that is causing you emotional pain, and you’d like to achieve closure.

 WHAT TO EXPECT 

A short lecture on anatomy, psychology, and spirituality, followed by the active meditation breathing practice, and time to ask questions afterwards.

 DO'S & DON'TS  

          Please bring yoga mats, blankets and towels.

          Wear comfortable clothes.

           Pen & Paper

           Try not to eat a large meal beforehand.

            Arrive on time!

Harjit Khondhu is avaiable on email should you have any concerns after the workshop.