MODULE 4

PRATYAHARA

WITHDRAWING THE SENSES INWARD

CONNECTING WITH PRESENCE - EXPERIENCING EMOTIONAL GLADNESS

STUDY YOGA HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

Evaluate the plausibility of the first period of yoga’s history being marked by non-doing practice (Rishi Yoga), and how historical periods emphasizing devotional practice (Bhakti Yoga), intellectual practice (Jhana Yoga), and attentive practice (Karma Yoga) may have sequentially evolved over time. 

ENGAGE WITH A PERRENIAL YOGA PRACTICE

Understand pratyahara as withdrawing the senses inward. Consider how pratyahara connects us to presence for the experience of emotional gladness. Learn how pratyahara is a bridge between the inner and outer perennial practices of yoga, helping us cultivate the presence necessary to develop capacity for more immersive practices of concentration and meditation.

OBSERVE YAMAS & NIYAMAS

Explore the ethics-integrity pairing of asteya (non-stealing, stewardship) and tapas (self-discipline, resolve, asceticism, “heat’ causing change). Consider how Dietrich Bonhoeffer exemplifies this ethics-integrity pairing. Imagine other icons who embody this ethics-integrity pairing.

PRACTICE & SHARE ASANA

Learn and teach standing poses, including parsvottanasana, prasarita padottanasana+, vrikshasana, utthita hasta padangusthasana, arda baddha padmottanasana, ashtachandrasana, and ardha chandrasana. Compare hands-on adjustments with intuitive alignment cues. Practice teaching Sun Salutations B. 

PRACTICE & SHARE PRANAYAMA

Explore kechari mudra and yoni mudra as internal union points of complimentary opposites (inhale-exhale, feminine-masculine, Shakti-Shiva). Consider alignment as an inward energetic experience of stability and ease rather than a pose’s geometric precision. Practice teaching inhales and exhales through the blooming and grounding aspects of sun salutations.               

PRACTICE PRATYAHARA

Practice self-reflective journaling as a form of pratyahara. What can you disconnect from? What is absolutely necessary? What are you willing to drop?  What happens when you do? To whom and to what do you connect when you make space? What if one thing must dissolve for another thing to arise?  

PRACTICE DHARANA

Experience dharana as a way of being with “what is” in a focused kind of way. Explore how the constrictive nature of our personality can hijack dharana practice by striving (“what is” is not enough), avoiding (fleeing “what is”), and fighting (opposing “what is). Consider how balancing the inward experiences of effort and ease helps bring awareness to our egoic patterns.

PRACTICE DHYANA

Practice loving kindness meditation as dhyana-maha to create favorable conditions for love to arise and to experience unity consciousness and everythingness. Resting awareness on love in different directions. Explore loving kindness phrases and choose your own. Chant Lokah Mantra (Happiness Chant) for the happiness and freedom of all.

CO-CREATE CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY

Practice Jack Kornfield’s eye-gazing meditation with a partner as a way of offering presence, recognizing essence nature, and expressing love and kindness. Reflect on any sense of mutual recognition and the giving and receiving of love. Consider how it feels to be really seen by someone – and how it feels to be perceived as invisible. Meet with mentor and peer groups.

CREATE YANTRA

Create a mini yantra using paper and colored pencils. Include at least five iconic yantra elements (archetypical symbols or colors). Notice what arises (thoughts, feelings, body sensations) as you create your yantra. Do not share your yantra. Consider destroying and discarding the yantra when you are done.

STUDY AYURVEDA

Learn how vata dosha draws its qualities from space-ether and air-wind. Consider how vata is the force behind kinetic energy and movement in the mind-body. Explore thephysical, mental, and emotional characteristics of vataenergy. Understand life practices, dietary considerations, and routines beneficial to balance vata energy.

STUDY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY & BIOMECHANICS

Take a deep dive into the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the lower limbs, including the feet, knees, hips, and pelvis. Become aware of biomechanical contributions to common injuries of the lower extremity. Consider the relationship between certain yoga postures and the potential for injury to lower body.