At what stage in the unfolding of your yoga practice and under what conditions can you start pranayama? If you research this question, you will find many different indications. But you surely want to know the prerequisites for pranayama practice that truly matters? If you are new to yogic breathing exercises yourself, I know these…
Holistic yoga is not a yoga tradition nor a yoga style. Nevertheless, yoga teachers and practitioners use the term holistic to describe what they teach and practice. What does it mean exactly, and why is it that you can take your yoga to new heights by adopting a holistic approach? I will cover that in…
If you are exploring yogic breathing exercises, you might ask yourself if there is a correct order to do pranayama. Different pranayamas have different effects, and it could be worth your while putting some thought into getting the order of pranayamas right. A proper sequence assures profound and harmonious results while you can miss out…
The psychic symbol is a mysterious and profound practice in the Satyananda tradition. It is the intuitive visualisation of a symbol that arises from your subconscious. Whenever it appears, you have an opportunity to delve deeper into yourself and go beyond your intellectual mind. In this article, you will find out what the symbol is,…
Yoga nidra is a yogic relaxation method created by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It’s a method that rapidly brings you into a state of deep relaxation. However, this state is so close to sleep that you easily can drift off and fall asleep altogether. Sleep is a common source of frustration among practitioners of yoga nidra. …
You have taken up meditation. But your thoughts are going off in all directions, and it seems an impossible feat to stay focused. You start doubting. To stay motivated, you need verifiable signs that you are on the right path. But how do you know you are really meditating? Everyone who meditates has wondered…
Yoga poses are just a thin slice of what there is to yoga. Still, poses are the sole focus of most modern yoga styles. The widespread overfocus on posture is frustrating for any practitioner wishing to explore the deeper states within reach of yoga. Though it might be challenging to find a yoga studio where…
Tratak is a concentration-based meditation. To practice it, you fix your gaze on a point. You direct your attention towards your concentration point, and you keep bringing it back to it. If done correctly, you will be able to strengthen your focus, and your mind will slowly move towards one-pointedness. Instructions for tratak seem straightforward…
Sukhasana, or the easy pose, is as useful as it is straightforward. It is perfect for beginners but even experienced yoga practitioners choose this pose for meditation and pranayama. But despite its simplicity, I see again and again how yoga practitioners get the easy pose wrong. Therefore, in this article, I want to set things…
Ujjayi pranayama is one of the most essential hatha yoga practices. You do it by producing a soft whispering sound while breathing. Though deceptively simple, it has a profound impact on your nervous system and your energy. Ujjayi pranayama is the backbone of Kriya Yoga, one of the most advanced old school yoga systems that…
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