Swara Yoga comes from the little known Tantric text, The Siva Swarodaya
Swara means flow and in this case relates to the flow of breath in each nostril. Swara is
the study of the flow of shakti in the breath. Yoga means union in this case union is
reached by the means of breath
It is the ancient tantric science of pranic body rhythms which explains how the
movement of prana can be manipulated by the breath and how the flow of prana, the
subtle aspect of the breath, changes at regular intervals throughout the day. It analyses
the breath and the significance of different pranic rhythms and involves pranayama
(breathing techniques) to harmonise prana and the pranic body. Breathing has subtle
effect on consciousness.
Pranayama practices redirect, store and control prana. Swara Yoga uses pranayama
practices more extensively and precisely to analyse the breath.
Through the practices of Swara Yoga our awareness becomes so subtle we begin to
observe ourselves very closely and remain balanced whilst watching these changing
pranic flows.
This allows us to come closer to our true essence, through the medium of the breath,
and be more in tune with our inner environment and act accordingly in our outer
environment.
Combined with Swara Yoga are the practices of Tattwa Vichara. Tattwa means literally
thatness, however, usually it is translated as the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and
ether or space. We are created from these elements or manifestations of prana and
they influence every aspect of our being. Vichara means reflection or analysis.
According to the various philosophies of Yoga including Samkhya, Tantra and Vedanta
the whole manifest universe is a composition of the 5 tattwas. All creation takes place
and is sustained by the tattwas. The Upanishads explain that the 5 tattwas evolved
from mind, mind from prana and prana from supreme consciousness.
Through the weekend we will focus on the 5 primary tattwas of which the body is
composed and how the properties of these elements are reflected through every cell.
Therefore, everything we do and think is under the influence of the tattwas both
internally and externally.
When our awareness becomes refined, we can begin to watch the changing pranic
flows and learn to be more in tune with life as it should be.
We can learn to recognise the subtle flow in the outgoing breath, and we will be doing
certain practices to observe this.
When a certain tattwa is active it has an effect on the breath, direction of flow, length of
time, distance of flow from the nostrils, we can detect certain tastes in the mouth, see
certain colours and shapes at chidakasha. These are the practices of Tattwa Vichara.
What to bring
Please bring a small mirror and a small downy feather, along with notebook or paper,
pens and a red, blue and yellow or gold pens or pencils
Please bring a shared lunch, drinks provided
