The Power of Pranayama
The Power of Pranayama ! Pranayama is a key component of the Ashtanga (8 limbs / 8 steps) Yoga approach. It is a Sanskrit word loosely translated as ‘controlling (Ayam)
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Yoga
Yoga according to classical Indian texts is a set of practices to achieve a state of balance and evenness of the mind even in the face of the usual ups and downs of day-to-day life. Although Yoga these days is commonly identified with physical postures (Asanas), they are only a small part of Yoga. Yoga is much more holistic and includes breathwork (Pranayama) and Meditation (Dhyana) as its key components. One of the earliest references to Yoga is in the great Indian epic ‘Mahabharat’! As one of my Guru’s pointed out to us, although the word ‘stress’ didn’t exist back then, the state that the great warrior prince Arjuna was in on the eve of an impending war with his own family members and Gurus was nothing but extreme stress! Arjuna could not get himself to pick up arms against his own kith and kin and was in great despair. Lord Krishna introduced to him the philosophy of Yoga in the ensuing dialog between the two, as captured in the holy book ‘Bhagwad Gita’. This can be considered to be the first Yoga class taught almost 5,000 years ago and a key goal of the class was to manage stress and achieve mental clarity!
Although I had never planned to become a Yoga instructor, a confluence of happy coincidences set me on this path back in 2012. And it turned out that this simple yet profound and ancient yet timeless practice was tailormade for my simple and moderate personality! I went on to become a certified Yoga instructor and have been practicing and teaching Yoga ever since.
I provide individual coaching, conduct group classes and organize retreats. I also work with corporate wellness programs. My classes are based on the classical Ashtanga Yoga approach and typically include a mix of Sun salutations (Surya Namaskar), various postures (Asana) and a variety of breath work (Pranayama) and Meditation (Dhyana) techniques. The focus isn’t just on the physical body but equally on the breath and the mind since cultivating a balanced, tranquil state of mind is the ultimate goal of Yoga! While there are many ways to achieve physical fitness, Yoga and specifically Meditation is the best way to manage stress and achieve mental wellness. This is really important given how pervasive stress has become in our modern life and how damaging it can be to our health. We occasionally also include a short discussion on different topics related to Yoga since it is helpful to understand the underlying philosophy and concepts.
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Testimonials
"I have had the opportunity to attend Prasad ji’s Yoga classes most of the past year. I have found these classes to help me build my confidence in Yoga practices, develop my Yoga skills, understand Yogic science and build strength. I also have benefited from the variety he brings to these classes, including a comprehensive regular immersion into Meditation. This has been helpful to be well rounded completing the Yoga and Meditation together. I highly recommend him and compliment his skills in Yoga and Meditation practices."
"I’ve had the pleasure of learning Yoga from Prasad both in person and online, and his guidance has been transformative, especially through the challenges of the pandemic. He is knowledgeable, offering a balanced blend of mindfulness and physical stretching that supports both mind and body. Yoga was not new to me, I had learned surya namaskar while in school. However, his detailed instructions on Surya Namaskar helped me develop a consistent daily routine, making the flow of surya namaskar poses feel natural and accessible.
One of his greatest strengths is his awareness of students’ varying skill levels and physical limitations; he offers alternative poses that allow everyone, especially beginners, to progress comfortably at their own pace. Whether you’re a newcomer or looking to deepen your practice, Prasad’s classes are an excellent choice for holistic wellness.”
"Prasad is a dedicated, passionate, and experienced Yoga guide. During and after covid, I joined his Sun Salutation sessions weekly and I continue to practice till date. From warm-up to breathing to relaxation - Prasad trained and brought everyone in the group along to the discipline of daily practice. Prasad was patient and diligent in explaining the significance of the postures and educating about the benefits of those - highly valuable for following Yoga holistically.”
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"I have had the opportunity to attend Prasad ji’s Yoga classes most of the past year. I have found these classes to help me build my confidence in Yoga practices, develop my Yoga skills, understand Yogic science and build strength. I also have benefited from the variety he brings to these classes, including a comprehensive regular immersion into Meditation. This has been helpful to be well rounded completing the Yoga and Meditation together. I highly recommend him and compliment his skills in Yoga and Meditation practices."
Viji V
"I’ve had the pleasure of learning Yoga from Prasad both in person and online, and his guidance has been transformative, especially through the challenges of the pandemic. He is knowledgeable, offering a balanced blend of mindfulness and physical stretching that supports both mind and body. Yoga was not new to me, I had learned surya namaskar while in school. However, his detailed instructions on Surya Namaskar helped me develop a consistent daily routine, making the flow of surya namaskar poses feel natural and accessible. One of his greatest strengths is his awareness of students’ varying skill levels and physical limitations; he offers alternative poses that allow everyone, especially beginners, to progress comfortably at their own pace. Whether you’re a newcomer or looking to deepen your practice, Prasad’s classes are an excellent choice for holistic wellness.”
Ashwini
"Prasad is a dedicated, passionate, and experienced Yoga guide. During and after covid, I joined his Sun Salutation sessions weekly and I continue to practice till date. From warm-up to breathing to relaxation - Prasad trained and brought everyone in the group along to the discipline of daily practice. Prasad was patient and diligent in explaining the significance of the postures and educating about the benefits of those - highly valuable for following Yoga holistically.”
Sumedha
I started my yoga practice earlier this year, by enrolling in Prasadji's class. Prasadji is an excellent yoga teacher, he takes time to explain the asanas (poses), their purpose and their effects on our body and mind. Prasadji's class is not a workout class, it's mainly to make your body feel flexible, strong and attain some mental peace with deep meditation. I personally like the meditation routines. Prasadji gives enough time for participants to get into the zone, focus and meditate while being aware of their body and mind. He takes time to check if we have any questions or clarifications at the end of the class. He also changes the format of the classes to keep it refreshing. I strongly recommend starting your yoga journey with Prasadji, its very rewarding."
Archana
"I have had the opportunity to attend Prasad ji’s Yoga classes most of the past year. I have found these classes to help me build my confidence in Yoga practices, develop my Yoga skills, understand Yogic science and build strength. I also have benefited from the variety he brings to these classes, including a comprehensive regular immersion into Meditation. This has been helpful to be well rounded completing the Yoga and Meditation together. I highly recommend him and compliment his skills in Yoga and Meditation practices."
Viji V
"I’ve had the pleasure of learning Yoga from Prasad both in person and online, and his guidance has been transformative, especially through the challenges of the pandemic. He is knowledgeable, offering a balanced blend of mindfulness and physical stretching that supports both mind and body. Yoga was not new to me, I had learned surya namaskar while in school. However, his detailed instructions on Surya Namaskar helped me develop a consistent daily routine, making the flow of surya namaskar poses feel natural and accessible.
One of his greatest strengths is his awareness of students’ varying skill levels and physical limitations; he offers alternative poses that allow everyone, especially beginners, to progress comfortably at their own pace. Whether you’re a newcomer or looking to deepen your practice, Prasad’s classes are an excellent choice for holistic wellness.”
Ashwini
"Prasad is a dedicated, passionate, and experienced Yoga guide. During and after covid, I joined his Sun Salutation sessions weekly and I continue to practice till date. From warm-up to breathing to relaxation - Prasad trained and brought everyone in the group along to the discipline of daily practice. Prasad was patient and diligent in explaining the significance of the postures and educating about the benefits of those - highly valuable for following Yoga holistically.”
Sumu