Friday night breathing

Ran ~3 miles (30 minutes) last night just as the sun was going down. It was chilly but felt very good.

After my run I went to a pranayama workshop put on my some guest teachers at my yoga studio. Pranayama is one of the 8 limbs of Astanga Yoga (Ashtanga means 8 limbs so it's really 8-limb yoga). The limbs being Yama (moral codes), Niyama (self purification and study), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (contemplation).

It is said that asana, which also can be translated as seat, is intended not as a complete practice in it's own right, but a tool to train the mind towards stillness and focus and open the body to make sitting for long periods of time somewhat comfortable. The 8 limbs are generally approached in order, with the first four more accessible than the remaining four.

It seems as though the asana practice made an easy transition from the east to the west, but the other limbs got lost somewhere along the way. On the other hand, asana practice in India is somewhat rare, with more emphasis being placed on the rest of the limbs.

Anyway, we were told that pranayama is a very powerful practice and is best done under the guidance of an experienced teacher. We were led through 4 basic, "entry level" exercises. It was very calming and energizing at the same time, very balancing. Will I make pranayama part of my daily practice? That remains to be seen.