Prāṇāyāma प्राणायाम
Pranayama is the fourth discipline or limb of the Ashtanga Yoga path. This sadhana is common to almost every tradition and school of yoga. Pranayama breathing practices brings about heath and longevity on one level and at the next level leads the student towards Samadhi, the enlightened state.
My teacher, Sri BNS Iyengar is a world renowned master of Pranayama and teaches a month long course in Mysore. He covers in detail up to eighteen distinct practices with benefits and progressions.
A lesson from Sri BNS Iyengar on Pranayama. Lakshmipuram, Mysore 2015
“Mastery over the five prana vayu-s is gained : 1) prana 2) apana 3) vyana 4) udana 5) samana - these are the five airs in the body.”
— Quotation for my book
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - 108 Practice Insights
Paul, 2021
Mudrā मुद्रा
Mudra means seal, lock and also gesture. Mudra today is generally thought to be finger/hand positioning only. However, this is in fact Hasta Mudra and used primarily for health and wellbeing and of course meditation. The mudra discipline which Sri BNS teaches is the classical form outlined in ancient texts such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika (10 mudra-s described) and Gheranda Samhita (25 mudra-s described). Sri BNS Iyengar is a very rare teacher indeed, in that he teaches in minute detail 19 different mudra-s, how to practice and what are the benefits to be gained.
Bandha-s are used also to help direct the prana and gather the prana in certain places within the body. Therefore an understanding of the different types of energy and purpose is required to master this discipline.
Mudra-s will be taught to experienced practitioners and those who have completed the two year AYTTC Absolute Yoga Teacher Training & Immersion course.