Pranayama & Your Yoga Practice – Tradition, Science and Detail
June 27 – July 10, 2021
This practice of prānāyāma is part of a living tradition. Paul has learnt the full practice in a special one-to-one capacity over the past 20 years with Tiwariji, who learnt directly from his teacher, Swami Kuvalayananda, an adept highly accomplished in prānāyāma and the science of yoga. He was also a devotee and spent time with his teacher, Madhavadas, on the banks of the Narmada river, also being taught this exact practice of prānāyāma. In this way it has been passed on very personally and effectively. Such a tradition survives all books, as it is only experience that ultimately counts. Over the years of study and introspection in this breathwork practice Paul has had the opportunity to better understand it from direct experience and how to help pass it on and help others to practice and teach it better.
Before pranayama proper can be learned and practiced correctly, breathwork practices are developed under the teaching of breath regulation. From there breathwork naturally progresses into pranayama practice. This course is designed to help you practice more effectively and understand Centered Breathwork and prānāyāma techniques to a deeper degree from both the information given and the depth of practice being done in this purpose-built, dedicated environment. Based on this, you can improve as a practitioner and teacher.
A synthesis of practice, techniques, physiology and philosophy, this course aims to combine traditional practice and wisdom with scientific and psychological understanding. This year, Paul will introduce numerous findings on the breath and physiology based on his research on the scientific side, along with continuing to offer insight on the nature of breathwork and prānāyāma practice and what happens in the process. It is a program that is part-practice, lecture and discussion based on your questions.
The key focus is on your practice and gaining experience. The morning session will be devoted to meditative techniques, krīya, Centered Breathwork and prānāyāma practice. This includes many practices to establish and regulate the breath as well as center the practitioner within, from energy center focus, contemplation, mantra japa, pranava japa, to annapannasati (silent awareness on the breath). Āsana practice will be either fully guided by Paul or a mix offered in guided sessions or self-practice. The afternoon will involve continued meditative techniques and breath regulation work to help still the mental activity and trigger a shift in the autonomic nervous system thereby enabling one to get more internally connected and really touch something inside that leads to real transformation. Within this time will be the lecture focus for the day coupled with your questions and answers to the best of the teacher’s ability followed by more prānāyāma practice. The evening will be a mixture of personal time, further practice and chanting. Typically, Paul is not present for the evening programs, but one of the team leads them.
Through repeated practice and greater understanding breathwork can grow within. Prānāyāma is a true gift and holds a power to really transform one’s state and behavior if practiced with sincerity and dedication over time. This program is created to encourage that in you. It is recommended you continue into the next two-week program with Tiwariji and Paul to further your prānāyāma.
All Advanced Yoga Teacher Training modules are fully inclusive of the training program, both practical sessions and lectures, and includes the full facilities of Samahita Retreat, accommodation of your choice, and all buffet meals and drinks. Additionally we offer fully filtered water stations for you fill up and stay hydrated along with electrolyte drink on the buffet. We provide a setting to support your body and mind at the optimal level so the time invested in your training is most beneficial.
The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the training with a group welcome. Check out is by 12pm on your last day. The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.
5.40 am | Beach sunrise silent watch |
6:15 – 7:15 am | Standing to Sitting practice: Centered meditative internal practices into silence |
7:15 – 7:40 am | Silent sitting (or savasana) practice while pulse analysis is taken by Paul |
7:40 – 9:00 am | Focused Detail of Centered Breathwork, Kriyas and Pranayama methods |
9:00 – 10:40 am | Asana Guided – SEDA: Slow Engaged Dynamic Asana – sequence options Asana Self – Teacher Assisted Self-Practice & Restorative Body Breath |
10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Brunch buffet |
2.30 – 3:00 pm | Snack and refreshment |
3.00 – 4:00 pm | Practice – sound meditation, energy center work, Pranava japa, Breath regulation to silent sitting |
4.00 – 4:35 pm | Yoga presentation from both tradition (experience) base and scientific information |
4:35 – 5:15 pm | Q&A – your questions and comments for discussion following the presentation |
5.15 – 6:00 pm | Pranayama practice into Meditative sitting |
6.00 – 8.00 pm | Bonus Fun Cycle or Core TRX workout class followed by post-workout asana class (20 + 20 min’s max) Complimentary herbal steam room available – great after class with a swim and a beach walk |
8.00 pm | Evening program – meditation, private time |
Teacher
Paul is a well-known world-class yogi, scientist and teacher with 30 years of experience in the practice and study of yoga, the breath, and the meditative techniques. His dedication to the path of yoga has come from a combination of intense practices, meditative experiences, silent retreats and numerous pilgrimages in India, Tibet and Thailand. He was one of the dedicated few to put in many years with Pattabhi Jois in the old days of ashtanga vinyasa, certified by him, with an expertise in asana. Further, his dedication to the practice of pranayama for over 20 years leaves him in a unique position as the senior student to carry forth these teachings from his teacher O.P. Tiwari and the tradition of Swami Kuvalayananda and Sri Madhavadas. In addition, he was accepted into one of the top PhD programs in the U.S. to conduct scientific research on yoga and its effects. He is still a student and loves to share and learn. Sincerity, not seriousness, is the key to enjoying this path of yoga and meditation. He has led workshops and trainings all over the world, and founded the retreat center, Samahita, in Thailand, that offers teachings to students from all backgrounds and all levels of physical and mental readiness in Centered Yoga—an open-minded method to encourage inner awareness.
Paul is also the happy father of two lovely boys. For more please see his full bio.
Rates are in US Dollars, are per person, and are fully inclusive of room, buffets, and practices for the duration of the program dates
Rates are in US Dollars, are per person, and are fully inclusive of room, buffets, and practices for the duration of the program dates
Private Room | $2,614 |
Semi-Private Room | $2,354 |
Shared Two-Bedroom Loft | $2,094 |
Subject to availability, we have Friends & Family rates for any registered Samahita Retreat guest’s partner, family member or friend, who is not interested in participating in any of the programs but will stay in a room and board capacity. Shared accommodation, food, and the facilities are open to them. If they prefer to engage in the selection of yoga, breath, meditation, and fitness classes every day then a separate booking under YogaCoreCycle is advised