YTT Themed Intensive Module

The Subtle Anatomy of Yoga
Awakening the Pranic Body

The Subtle Anatomy of Yoga

  • Format: YTT Themed Intensive Module
  • Instruction Time: 14 hrs (200, 300 and 500 hr, or Cont Ed)

Awakening the Pranic Body (APB) is an indepth exploration into the structure, function, pathologies and healing potential of the subtle (pranic) body from the perspective of yoga, ayurveda, marma therapists, and kalarippayatu (sacred martial art) practitioners of south India.
APB was designed to heighten and deepen the practice of yoga by helping the student and instructor to recognize areas within the pranic body that are blocked or weak. Techniques to clear or strengthen each of the 14 nadis and 108 marmas will be taught in a practical manner that can be integrated into one’s practice or teaching environment. Freeing these blocks in the pranic body will not only advance the practice of yoga but allow for an awakening of conciousness, self wisdom, and bliss. APB is a combined lecture, meditation, visualization and massage experience where students will access the pranic body first hand and take away tools for growth, wellness, and a radiant life.

Weekend Structure

Awakening the Pranic Body (APB) is a YTT module split into four independent, but related, courses: a 2-hr introduction into the nature of prana, followed by three 3-hr courses on the the nadis marmas, and the application of the subtle body in yogic meditation. The chakras and the mind (manas) are taught throughout. With 12 hours dedicated to the subject, more time is available to explore the internal experiential practices such as nyasa (placement of mantras into marmas), marma meditation, and a deeper exploration of tantric meditation practices than are often omitted in most YTT programs.

The Subtle Anatomy of Yoga is a comprehensive anatomy program that fulfills Yoga Alliance 200, 300, and 500 hour teacher training requirements for subtle r energetic anatomy instruction. Yoga Alliance anatomy and physiology requirements include both physical and subtle body anatomy instruction. This course satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for subtle body anatomy and physiology. The New Anatomy of Yoga satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for physical body anatomy and physiology. Combined, these two courses satisfy all YA requirements for anatomy and physiology.

Course Sections

Course 1
PRANA VIDYA: The Nature of Prana (3 hrs)

Offered Saturday morning

The subject of prana is a core teaching in yoga. There would be no vitality without pranashakti, and no consciousness without chittashakti – its two components. The Prana Vidya course has been coined “the” course on prana and a perfect way to begin a deeper study of one’s subtle body. The course examines the nature of prana, how it works in the body, the five vayus, the four pathologies of prana, it’s association with the human mind, and how the subtle flows within yoga work to heal and evolve body and mind.

Course 2
NADI VIDYA: The Inner Streams of Prana in Yoga, Ayurveda and Tantra Meditation (3 hrs)

Offered Saturday afternoon

Out of hundreds of thousands, there are 14 primary nadis, or channels of pranic flow, which serve to distribute prana throughout the body. Of these 14, three are considered the esoteric channels of hatha yoga. These nadis are where the work of yoga effects the chakras, our growth and development, and the emergance of yogic consciousness. Without flow of prana within the nadis there can be no life. All that we do in yoga serves to stimulate and liberate the flow of prana in these channels. Understanding the relavance of these channels historically lead to a renaissance of hatha yoga and tantric meditation practices used to calm the mind and awaken yogis to higher states of awareness. Largely lost amidst todays physical asana approach, they are just as relavant today. A few of these practices will be explored.

Course 3
MARMA VIDYA: 108 Points of Light (3hrs)

Offered Sunday morning

The 108 marmas are the precipitating points of prana found within the subtle, or pranic body. They are similar to the acupuncture points of Chinese medicine, but have a rich tradition of use in yoga and the marma therapy systems of ayurveda and kalarippayatu (martial arts). Marmas are also referred to as the Lesser Chakras. Though they are identicle in structure to the Greater Chakras, they are found throughout the body rather than on the sushumna nadi (psychic channel) of the spine. The course will explore the marmas both in theory, in martial practices, as well as in yoga asana practice. Students will find marmas on their own body as well as massage marmas on partners.

Course 4
Prana Practicum: Ajapa Japa and Marma Adi (3hrs)

Offered Sunday afternoon

In this session we will explore a few traditional techniques that integrate visualization of prana moving through the nadis (ajapa japa) and marmas (18 marmasthanas) with mantra and breath mindfulness.
Students will practice the Tantric practice of Nyasa, in which one of eight bija (seed) mantras are “placed” into the marmas with healing intent. The 18 Marmasthani Meditation will be both guided and instructed as a personal practice to activate the 18 marma regions of the body.

Ajapa Japa is a body of tantric meditation and contemplation practices that focus the mind, breath, and prana together into a deeply effective alchemy. It is said to originate from the heart, and used to awaken prana and kundalini shakti within the nadi system. This course offers several ajapa japa practices that explore the inner subtle realms of the nadis and mind-body connection. Learn to integrate internal pranayama, breathing into the psychic channels (nadis), with mantra and exquisite visualizations that will steady the nervous system, uplift the spirit, and remove the root cause of most stress related physical and mental ailments.

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