The Fourth Branch of Yoga: Pranayama

Prana is the life force that flows throughout nature and the universe. When prana is flowing freely throughout our body/mind we will feel healthy and vibrant. When prana is blocked, fatigue and disease soon follow. The concept of an animating force is present in every major wisdom and healing tradition. It is known as chi or qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ruach in the Kabalistic tradition and ki in Japanese martial arts. The essence of prana is that deep connection between our rhythms, seasons, and our cycles of our life.

According to Patanjali, a key way to enliven prana is through conscious breathing techniques known as pranayama. There is an intimate relationship between our breath and our mind. When our mind is centered and quiet, so is our breath. When our mind is turbulent, our breathing becomes distorted. Just as our breath is affected by our mental activity, our mind can be influenced by the conscious regulation of our breathing. There are a number of classical pranayama breathing exercises designed to cleanse, balance, and invigorate the body.

When we are tuned into the pranic energy in our body, we spontaneously become more attuned to the relationship between our individuality and our universality. In this way, pranayama can take our awareness from constricted to expanded states of awareness.

Here you can see an example of a pranayama exercise:   http://www.youtube.com

Working with the Breath:

Prana is the life force which permeates both the individual as well as the universe at all levels. It is at once physical, sexual, mental, intellectual, spiritual, and cosmic. Prana, the breath, and the mind are inextricably linked to each other. BKS IVENGAR

Anke Bosman

Health is the state of vibrant balance in which all the layers of one’s life are integrated…

Ayurveda, the 5000 year old healing system founded in ancient India, is derived from the Sanskrit word ayus meaning life and veda meaning wisdom. Ayurveda, the wisdom of life, offers a proven guide for a life of happiness, success, vitality, love and purpose.

I started teaching and coaching in 1997 out of a desire to share my insights and support people to effectively create necessary change both within themselves and externally. My work has blossomed from focus on the individual needs of men and women.

My focus is healing, personal growth and coaching. Both in the Netherlands and Canada, I’ve helped many people from many walks of life progress in their journey toward higher human potential and the realisation of their personal goals. Starting in 1997 I studied at the Chopra University with Dr. Deepak Chopra and David Simon and acquired a master’s degree in Vedic Science and the programs Primordial Sound Meditation, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and Perfect Health.

After 15 years of working with groups and individuals my focus for the future will be: coaching one-on-one with the focus on the special needs of the individual. Vitality Coaching.

What is the purpose of Vitality Coaching?

With this personal program you will create a complete new lifestyle which will bring you:

• reduction of stress
• more self-acceptance
• inner peace
• awakening of your intuition
• a deeper connection between mind, body and spirit
• more awareness of your body, your feelings, the world around you and the need of others

IFF THE DOORS OF OUR PERCEPTION WERE CLEANSED, EVERYTHING WOULD APPEAR TO MAN AS IT IS —INFINITE. William Blake

A tailor-made serie of sessions wil be completely suited for you. The composition of the program can include:

• a personal yoga therapy program focused on special needs which will bring: flexibility, balance and strength
• pranayama exercises; breathing work to reduce anxiety
• chair-yoga program for elderly or people with special needs
• developing a personal meditation practice
• ayurvedic principles for every day, combining your dosha (bodytype) with daily activities, food, day and night rhythms
• learning tools to practice conscious communication to enhance your relationships and help you achieve emotional freedom
• working with the “Seven Spiritual Laws of Succes”

This program will include a serie of 5 sessions of 1-1/2 hour. Coaching sessions can be continued afterwards if desired.

We start with an intake by phone or web. After the first session we will both have the choice to continue or not.

For more information and pricing please email me: anke@vitaleo.net or phone me on my cell: 250 526 2888

Namaste,

Anke



When I started with my daily asana practice 9 years ago I could never imagine what the outcome would be. I already meditated years before I started with the postures and the combination of the two have changed my whole life!
Over the years the asana practice changed my whole body in a very positive way. Flexibility, balance and strenght are such a wonderful gifts when you introduce some discipline to yourself. A complete transformation of my body is the result. And this is synchronously related to all aspects of my life. This will be my path till my last day!

The Third Branch of Yoga: Asana
Asanas are usually defined as the various yogic postures designed to bring balance and harmony to the physical body, particularly the musculo-skeletal system. Asana is part of the Ayurvedic treatment system for the physical body.
At a deeper level, asana refers to the complete expression of mind-body integration, a state in which we become conscious of the flow of prana resonating in every molecule of our body and in every thought and every experience.
The essence of asana isn’t about straining to get our body into a particular posture; it’s about surrender, opening, expanding, and enhancing our flexibility, balance, and strength. The practice of asanas is a way to expand our own sense of self and experience the joy of being incarnated in this physical body. At the same time, it allows us to create an intimate dance between our individuality and universality and celebrate the essence of this connection.