PranAnanda Philosophy
‘Prana’ is the life-force cultivated through breathing techniques (prAnAyama), asana (postures), meditation, and living the yogic philosophy. When practiced consistently, along with an Ayurvedic lifestyle, the ‘life-force’ increases and brings about blissful changes in our life journey.
The six petalled flower logo for PranAnanda is what is known as the Seed of Life. It is created by six intersecting circles with a common center focal point. It represents ‘the six around the one’, which symbolizes the six main chakras leading up to the seventh Divine chakra that connects us with Source, God, the Creator.
* For students and teachers that studied with me years ago at ‘Prananda’, my intention for the business name was the same, but I did not have formal training in Sanskrit. Hence, ‘prananda’ loosely means ‘first bliss’ but grammatically speaking it doesn’t mean anything in Sanskrit. Hopefully, this is a testament to being humble, admitting when we are wrong and to commit to being a perpetual student, always learning and growing.
Yoga is for EVERY body
Breathing properly will change your life
Yes, YOU can become a yoga instructor
Taking classes should NOT bankrupt you
PranAnanda is about starting where you are right now. You don’t have to be an enlightened saint to begin practice or be able to stick your foot in your ear. The first Yoga Sutra of Patanjali states: “Atha Yoganushasanam”. Some translate this to mean, “NOW is the time for Yoga. Let us begin.” My hope is that I will have the privilege to accompany you on part of your journey to centered, happy, whole-ness; with some laughs, breaths (if you’re laughing you are breathing), and beauty along the way.
35 +
years of Experience
5 +
states of happy students
(NY, CA, OR, NH, FL)
10 +
Branches of training
Ayurveda, Yoga, Sutras, Anatomy/Physiology, Aromatherapy, Sanskrit, and more
50 +
teachers trained via PrananANda Yoga
Our Focus
YOGA
Yoga is an American household term these days, with over 20 million people in America alone practicing some form. The Yoga tradition is much more faceted than yoga postures (asana). Some of the other limbs of Yoga are: pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation (dhyana), ethics (yamas/niyamas) and philosophy.
Different levels of classes are offered so that every body type and experience level can benefit. Specialty workshops are offered for the deep dive into such various topics as hip opening, advanced breathing techniques, back bending, and chakras.
PRANAYAMA
Pranayama are breathing techniques. We are all alive and are breathing, so why take classes about it? An example of the importance of proper breathing is learned in the first Pranayama of this series, Deep Yogic Breathing; it engages all three lobes of the lungs. By breathing toward the belly, the lower lobes of the lungs, it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The PNS is the ‘Rest and Relax’ portion of our nervous system. It brings our brain and metabolism into the mode of calmness, low-stress, and high-efficiency. As babies most of us breathed deeply, fully and in a relaxed manner, basically we have to re-learn how to breathe that way once again. 14 different breathing techniques will be learned over 6 weeks.
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old healing art that is the sister science to Yoga. It is based upon the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether constituting everything in the Universe including our bodies. Each of our bodies has these elements in different ratios and can be divided into Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (doshas) constitutions. Our daily habits can create an imbalance of the elements. Through slight changes in lifestyle and diet according to Ayurveda, your specific dosha ratio, building digestive fire (Agni) and lowering systemic toxins (Ama); a balance can once again be restored
Our Students Testimonials
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