Yoga and the Anatomy of Breathing Day 1 (December 5)

Synchronicity, Divine Providence.  It truly is amazing how there has always been space in my seemingly impossible schedule for yoga. The past days with Paul and the lovely yogins have been sumptuous. Despite the long and early drive to the South and the laborious traffic going home in my yellow yoga mobile, it's just a truly remarkable time to have my teacher here. I'd drive to Koh Samui if I could...

Just to deepen the appreciation, I am acknowleding that a year ago on this very day, I graduated from Yoga Thailand's Teacher Training and today, we begin the 3-day workshop on Yoga and the Anatomy of Breathing at Yoga Manila Alabang.

Here's the workshop write-up -
Breath is subtle, it is elusive — yet it is a cornerstone of any yoga practice. Discover the power of breath and learn how to harness its energy primarily through pranayama, a practice that involves understanding the basic inhalation and exhalation we often take for granted.
With Breath as the backdrop, experience the limitless depths of Ashtanga Vinyasa's primary series during asana practice. Find the feminine in this dynamic practice.

So I drove as fast as Surya (the car) could take me and came in just in time to hear Paul say - Good morning Manilaa! (He really isn't the yoga rockstar type but I like to say he is, just because I still get slightly starstruck around him)

We began opening the day and practiced pranayama. The love of pranayama practice continues to grow in me and has certainly helped in the subtle positive shifts inside. I am now at 8 breaths although I take a minimum of 6. With Paul around, I am able to relish up to 10 breaths, amazingly...

We then did a deep detailed led practice. I continue to share Paul's teaching in my class and I basked in the guidance. Free, Open, Smiling, Loving the dynamics of the breath, the bandhas, the balls of our feet. Drishti too but I don't recall us paying too much attention to the drishti. I loved hearing the guidance I learned a year ago, I continue to apply and now teach.  I am contemplating on removing "T your arms" from my classes in place of "Y your arms"...

Paul took us surprisingly to 2nd series and although I kissed the floor in Mayurasana, I know we will be friends one day. I loved how deeply we went into each pose.

We had a break of delicious vegetarian food for lunch and then spent the whole afternoon of great lecture and pranayama.

The force animating our body, our vehicle, is Prana. Breath is the primary vehicle of Prana. Ayama is the expansion and extension.
In Pranayama, the mind has to be ready but there needs to be readiness in the body too.
Be aware of the dual and opposing currents (Ha-tha). When you do your asana, you are working and playing with the currents (apana and prana).
Inhale: 1 (upper abdomen) + 2 (rib cage) + 3 (heart). Exhale: let go together then continue to get the rest of the air out.
The depth of the breath will determine how much I need to tone the moolah bandha.

(Paul being his usual uber animated self, sound effects included)

Lenghten torso and spine; Widen the line of the pelvis, ribs and shoulders. Work on these planes. Create an environment the Prana can move in. The heart is the seat of Prana.
Asana has to be respected. Connect with all the different functions and possibilities. Connect through the balls of the feet and the knuckles of the hand.
Feel the warrior energy from the psoas.