Contrasting Bhastrikā & Kapālabhāti Prāṇāyāma
Pranayama Workshop with Sadhvi Girija
Breathe the living breath of fire! Experience an in-person workshop on Himalayan cleansing breathing techniques. Learn how to properly practice and differentiate the pranayama techniques of Kapālabhāti and Bhastrikā along with Agnisāra-dhauti and integrate them into your daily routine. These powerful techniques are energizing, purifying, revitalizing, and cleansing.
Selection of the topics and techniques that will be covered:
– Brief review of Ujjāyī breathing from the core
– Alternate nostril breathing for nāḍī cleansing
– Review of sitting postures (āsana) for prāṇāyāma
– Kapālabhāti pranayama vinyāsa
– Bhastrikā pranayama vinyāsa
– Agnisāra-dhauti (time permitting)
Guidance about when to practice specific pranayama (breathing), and how to integrate these techniques into a daily routineThis workshop will be taught by nun, yogin, and pranayama expert Sadhvi Girija. She reveals to us rare prāṇāyāma and yoga-vinyāsa-krama techniques from the Himalayan siddha tradition which she directly learnt under the guidance of Himalayana siddha monk, His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda.
Orientation before Attending this Workshop
Prior understanding and practice of Ujjāyī breathing, known as the “breath of victory”, is very helpful. This technique will be briefly reviewed during the workshop. We urge you to become familiar with this breathing technique ahead of the workshop by studying the materials listed below (all are free access).
1. Practice and learn more about ujjayi breathing with this six-part video series
2. Review how breathing is combined with steadiness and comfort of āsana sitting
3. Read an article by His Holiness on deep core breathing
Food Guidelines
Avoid mucous generating (mucogenic) foods two days (48 hours) prior to Saturday, 20th August. Avoid eating at least 4 hours before the Workshop and make yourself feel light and agile. Supper that you have the day before the workshop should be light. You should feel slightly hungry by the time you check in at the Workshop by 9:00am. Practicing breathing and pranayama on an empty stomach is best, as food in the stomach during practice will cause discomfort. Fruits and herbal tea are acceptable snacks. For those who are sensitive to a drop in sugar, a handful of nuts is an acceptable snack. Fresh fruit will be available during the break and an energy bar provided at the end of the Workshop.
Preparation and What to Bring
Arrive at 9am to check-in, use the restroom and get settled before instruction begins promptly at 9:30am. Bring a yoga mat and meditation cushion with you. If you do not have a yoga mat and cushion you can bring 2 blankets and/or towels (one to place underneath your sitting area and one for rolling as an elevated seat cushion). Due to the cleansing nature of the techniques, you may experience expelling of mucous, plan to bring a handkerchief or suitable cloth. Please also bring your own reusable water bottle with your name on it.
Community Safety Guidelines
– Please stay home if you are experiencing a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue or any COVID symptoms, have tested positive for COVID within 10 days of the start of the event, or have had close contact with anyone who is confirmed or is suspected of having COVID within 10 days of the event.
– If possible, participants are encouraged to take an at-home COVID test within 24 hours of their arrival at an event or fellowship.
– For events with a registration fee, Hansavedas Fellowship will issue a full refund if you must cancel attendance due to illness.
– Please follow basic infection prevention and control practices by regularly washing hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand gel, and by covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your inner elbow.
– We will keep windows/doors open whenever possible.
– Bring a KN95 mask if you have one. Face masks may be helpful for situations where groups are in tight quarters.
– Please read through and implement our Precautionary Wellness Measures to the extent possible.
Medical Considerations
We recommend that you do not attend this workshop if you have a slipped or bulging disc or are currently pregnant.
Please note that some of the breathing techniques (such as holding the breath after exhalation) taught in this workshop may not suitable for those with hypertension (high blood pressure), persistent migraine headaches, deviated septum, or inability to breathe through the nose. If you have any of these conditions, please consult with your personal physician before planning to attend. During the workshop, breathholds or duration of breathhold will be noted when incorporated into the instruction summary so that you may abstain from practicing them.
If you will be menstruating at the time of the workshop, you may find the practices difficult or uncomfortable.
Teen Attendance
Children under the age of 18 years may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We do not recommend this Workshop for anyone under the age of 13. Please write to us if you have a particular inquiry.
Supplementary Workbook
The supplementary workshop course material, Lifeforce + Lifestyle – Workbook is available on our bookstore website. This 200-page workbook is a manual that inspires seekers with daily practices for leading a balanced lifestyle by restoring wellness and enhancing vitality. Wisdom teachings are presented herein to illustrate the flow of life energy – integrating breathwork, drinkables and edibles and culminates with wholesome recipes – a must-read for anyone interested in Ayurveda, mindfulness, yoga and meditation.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Registration Cancellation
In order to receive a refund, please notify Self Enquiry Life Fellowship’s main office either by email at quest@vps92644.inmotionhosting.com or by phone at 909-543-6003. No refunds or credits toward registration amount will be offered if you cancel within 7 days of the start date of the event, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason.
Registration Amount Refunds
Full refunds are available if your cancellation request is received at least 15 days prior to the workshop or retreat check-in date. A 75% refund of registration fees is available if your cancellation is received between 8 and 14 days prior to the retreat or workshop check-in date. Please check the description to see if your event has a special cancellation policy. No refunds or credits toward registration amount will be offered if you cancel within 7 days of the start date of the event, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason.
Cancellation by the Organizer
Self Enquiry Life Fellowship reserves the right to cancel any event at any time. In the instance an event is cancelled, registrants will be notified and offered the option of receiving a refund or credit toward a future event. While Self Enquiry Life Fellowship never anticipates cancelling an event, due to unforeseeable circumstances some events may be canceled. Self Enquiry Life Fellowship does not refund travel related expenses, including airline tickets, in the case of event cancellation. Therefore Self Enquiry Life Fellowship advises all participants to refrain from purchasing non-refundable airline tickets.
