Asana – Physical exercises

The asanas stimulate the functions of the body. The muscles are stretched, the inner organs are strengthened, the blood circulation stimulated and hormone production is balanced. The postures are performed with concentration and presence. They calm the mind and prepare the body for meditation.

Pranayama – Breathing exercises

Pranayama increases the benefits of the postures. They raise the energy level and balance the nervous system. Practiced regularly they remove emotional blocks, reduce mental tensions and remedy stress and depression.

Mudra and bandha

Once the energy flow has been purified by pranayama, mudra and bandha are used to further raise the energy and to remove blocks. 

Yoga nidra – Deep relaxation

This is a very powerful relaxation technique that touches the body as well as the mind. It brings you into a state of mind where the border between the conscious and the unconscious is diffused. This allows a profound relaxation of your entire being.  Practiced regularly this technique can help you to relax in daily life and improve the quality of your sleep.

Tratak – Concentration

In this dharana technique you train your concentration by fixing your attention on the flame of a candle. Concentration is crucial to attain the deeper dimensions of hatha yoga.

Dhyana- Meditation

Meditation is a state where there is no identification with the content of the mind. To attain this at will one needs a technique. We teach two principal meditation techniques, Antar Mauna and the Source of Energy.

Antar Mauna belongs to the same family of mindfulness meditations as the buddhist Vipassana and Mahamudra.  This technique teaches you a different way of perceiving that which you experience, in a way that allows you to stay present with your experience, but without getting involved.

The source of Energy is a meditation from the tradition of Kriya Yoga. It is based on a particular breath called Ujjayi pranayama, or the psychic breath. By practicing this you gradually become more aware of your psychic energy.

Characteristics of the courses

The courses are built up as a sequence where one technique prepares for the next. The evening courses typically last two hours and fifteen minutes which gives enough time to calmly go through an extensive programme. Normally the physical practices are done in the beginning and the deeper meditative practices at the end.