We are excited to offer you a special 2.5 hour hatha yoga class with an emphasis on breath work.  Pranayama, the practice of yogic breathing techniques, consciously controls the flow of breath, thus enhancing the flow of energy in the body.  In this special class, we will begin by dropping into the breath, clearing the lungs of old residue, then move through various asanas opening the body and linking breath to movement.  After shavasana (corpse pose), we will engage in a breathing series which stokes the energy in the first chakra, moving it steadily up through each of the 7 chakras, a clarifying, balancing process which takes about 30 minutes.  A reminder sheet with this practice will be distributed at the end of class should you wish to continue with this breathing sequence adjusting the time length to fit your lifestyle.   A regular, pranayama practice increases prana (life energy), thereby inviting greater mental clarity, heightened healing potential and deeper self-understanding.

Joan Gauscheman is a visiting yoga instructor who has been teaching yoga for 20 years and has been working with this particular pranayam sequence in her personal practice for the last year.