Mudra and bandha are part of the Hatha Yoga tradition which also includes asana/posture, pranayama/breathing practices, and shatkarma/cleansing practices. It is a rich tradition, that is as invaluable today as it’s ever been and can do so much for our physical, psychological and spiritual health and well-being. Yet mudra and bandha are often neglected or mis-understood in western yoga classes, meaning that their true value can remain untapped.
Tutor(s): Swami Krishnapremananda
The practices of mudra and bandha sensitise, awaken and balance the energy body, the subtle counterpart of the physical. They help to calm the nervous system, settle the mind, and open more subtle states within, thereby providing a potent gateway into stillness or meditation.
Bandha means ‘to lock’, and the practices help to lock energy in certain areas, before then releasing this energy in a focused way to raise energy, induce spaciousness and harmonise the energy body. Mudra is defined as a gesture or attitude, which aligns awareness with subtle energy channels within to help increase sensitivity, balance and clarity. Both, mudra and bandha, tune us into more subtle states of perception and awareness.
During this four-day retreat each of the four bandhas and a selected range of hand, head and full body mudras will be systematically introduced, with clear explanations and skilfully guided practice. The practices will also be combined with selected pranayama practices to further enhance their effect. Participants will be able to learn and deepen the practices and experience their unique effects, physically and
energetically. They will gain the clarity and confidence to incorporate mudra and bandha in their home practice and, if appropriate, their subsequent teaching.
The retreat is open to those with a reasonable experience of asana and pranayama, and who are comfortable with simple breath retention practices. The retreat will also include a daily yoga class, yoga nidra, karma yoga and morning chanting and meditation.
