In Pranayama one begins first by observing and getting acquainted with the breath in order to perceive the sensations that arise in the lungs during the breathing process.
Pranayama is the practice of observing, refining and extending the breath. It is a way of controlling your life force energy. It is the fourth limb of Asthanga Yoga, right after asana.
I used to be a Vinyasa Yoga teacher. Over the past several years, I have been gradually changing my teaching style. Because I felt that the style of yoga I had been practicing was injurious to my body, I decided to go back to my Iyengar roots.
This was the theme for my recent yoga retreat. We stayed in a rustic lodge in the Poconos.. The place was clean but spare, no frills. The weather was perfect and we had a large deck with a great view, so we spent a lot of time outdoors. What more did we need? It was, indeed, back to simpler times.
