Take Your Yoga Practice to New Heights

Take Your Yoga Practice to New Heights

By YogaLap

Reading time: 4 minutes

Yoga is often viewed as a physical practice, centered around asanas (yogic postures) that increase flexibility, build strength, and help us unwind from the stresses of daily life. But your yoga practice could offer you much more! By incorporating pranayama (special breathing techniques), you can unlock deeper levels of consciousness, making your practice more efficient, enjoyable, and profoundly transformative. It can become a life-altering practice that ripples out into every area of your life.

In the ancient yogic scriptures, such as Patanjali’s *Yoga Sutras*, there is minimal mention of yogic postures (asanas). Yoga asanas are primarily preparation for the deeper practices of pranayama and meditation, where the true essence of yoga is felt. These practices elevate your awareness beyond the physical form, tapping into the potential of your mind and consciousness. Even for beginners, pranayama offers much more than physical benefits. It enriches the practice of yoga, transforming it from a simple exercise routine into something that can enhance your mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

(1800 x 1200 px) (22)

Optimising Your Mind and Energy System

As humans, we are made of multiple layers, called *Koshas* in yoga. We have a physical body made of flesh and bones, but it is sustained by energy—whether it’s electrical, chemical, or bioenergy. Without this vital energy, the body would be lifeless. This energy body governs a more subtle body: our mind and emotional system. Beyond these layers lies something even deeper—our consciousness, which perceives the body, sensations, thoughts, and emotions. When the flow of energy is blocked or disturbed, it creates impurities in our systems, leading to various forms of suffering.

For instance, in the physical body, these blockages might manifest as chronic pain, tension, or digestive issues. The nervous system can also become overstimulated, leading to health problems like insomnia, fatigue, or weakened immunity. These disturbances can show up in the mind as overthinking, stress, lack of focus, or burnout. Emotionally, they may cause feelings of depression, anxiety, or difficulties in relationships, leaving us disconnected from joy and peace.

When these impurities build up, they weigh us down, making life feel heavy and difficult. However, when we begin to clear them from our physical, mental, or emotional systems, we can finally let our true selves shine. We release the tension, the repetitive negative thoughts, the stuck emotions, and old traumas that hold us back.

 

(1800 x 1200 px) (23)

Clearing the Path to Inner Freedom

Imagine a dirty window. The light outside is always there, but we can’t see it clearly because the glass is dirty. Similarly, when blockages accumulate, they obscure the inner light of our consciousness. By working to clear these impurities—whether physical tensions, mental loops, or stuck emotions—we clean the window. The light shines through more clearly, and life begins to feel lighter, more vibrant, and connected.

This is where pranayama plays a crucial role. Pranayama is one of the most powerful techniques for removing these energetic obstacles. While asanas prepare the body by creating openness and flexibility, pranayama purifies the mind and emotional body. It works on a subtler level, allowing you to balance your nervous system, calm your thoughts, and ease emotional tensions. By mastering your breath, you can focus your mind and naturally enter deeper states of meditation, where true healing and harmonizing occur.

Through regular pranayama practice, you’ll feel more connected to your inner self and to the world around you. The sensations of unity, fulfillment, and peace that arise during these practices are not just temporary—they spill over into daily life. Over time, you’ll find yourself handling stressful situations with more ease, experiencing more patience and kindness, and living with a greater sense of joy and empowerment.

(1800 x 1200 px) (24)

Deepen Your Pranayama Knowledge

We hope you are also ready to experience yoga in a deeper, more transformative way and deepen your pranayama practice. Michaēl Bijker, a globally recognized breathwork and pranayama teacher, has guided thousands of students around the world to unlock the true potential of these practices. His teachings masterfully combine ancient wisdom with modern insights, making pranayama accessible to everyone, whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner.

Michaēl has not only helped individuals transform their personal practice but also trained over 3,000 people to become pranayama and breathwork instructors. This means you have the opportunity to learn from one of the most respected teachers in the field, gaining skills that will not only deepen your own practice but could also allow you to guide and inspire others.

Yogalap’s courses offer a rare opportunity to discover the profound benefits of pranayama, helping you live with more clarity, joy, and connection—on and off the mat. These teachings are tools for true empowerment, healing, and growth.

If you're ready to elevate your practice and dive into the deeper layers of pranayama, visit yogalap.com today. Whether you’re looking to enrich your own yoga journey or take the path toward teaching, these practices will transform the way you breathe, move, and live. Your journey to lasting inner peace and vitality begins with a single breath.

To learn more about Michaēl Bijker and pranayama courses visit https://yogalap.com

To become a breathwork and pranayama instructor, please follow: https://yogalap.com/courses/breathwork-instructor-course

 

Om Magazine

First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.