Yoga Retreat: ASANA and PRANAYAMA
Asanas in Yoga Traditions – An Introduction to Pranayama
Intensive retreat on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026
at Yoga Sadhana Ashram, Mount Ascension
ROTELLA – ASCOLI PICENO – MARCHE
A deep dive into the world of “living and learning yoga”
We will explore asanas across various yoga traditions, with a particular focus on Satyananda Yoga, and we will introduce pranayama as a system for expanding and harmonizing vital energy.
The event is open to everyone: both those new to yoga and more experienced practitioners.
You can participate in the entire program or just a few sessions, either in person or online.
For information and registration: 393 483 6897
Asanas: these are the physical postures and positions used in yoga to strengthen, stretch, and balance the body, originally designed to prepare practitioners for long periods of meditation.
The asanas in Hatha Yoga.
Traditional Hatha Yoga includes 84 asanas, with an emphasis on maintaining proper posture, which allows you to combine movement with correct breathing and meditation.
The asanas in Rishi Patanjali's Raja Yoga.
Unlike modern Hatha Yoga, Patanjali does not describe specific postures, but rather defines asana as a stable seated posture necessary for deep meditation.
Asanas in contemporary traditions.
They represent a fusion of ancient Indian yogic techniques and the demands of the modern world, evolving from primarily meditative practices into physical and postural disciplines.
Asanas in the Satyananda tradition.
The poses are taught systematically, often preceded by Pawanmuktasana and combined with mindful breathing, with the aim of achieving a state of deep relaxation and inner awareness.
Asanas for unblocking energy.
Asanas for energy release aim to free the flow of prana by releasing physical and emotional tension, especially along the spine.
Expanding energy through breath control.
Pranayama involves the control and regulation of the breath (prana = vital energy, ayama = control/regulation). Through specific techniques, it harmonizes the body and mind, reduces stress, improves respiratory capacity, and prepares the mind for meditation by working on the nervous system and addressing physical and mental blockages.
Thoracic and clavicular breathing.
Thoracic and clavicular breathing in yoga are components of “full breathing,” used to increase lung capacity.
Yoga Nidra.
It is a powerful guided meditation technique that induces deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Unlike seated meditation, it is usually practiced while lying down and aims to bring the mind into a state that lies between wakefulness and sleep.