August 2026 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami--On Pranayama

[Srivatsa Ramaswami]

August 2026 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami–On Pranayama

 I am now in Wicklow, Ireland, teaching a 100 hr Vinyasakrama yoga program for 20 days. It includes detailed study of samkhyakarika and yogasutras. The program is sponsored by Liz Richards of Anantayoga and Ayurveda I am also likely to teach a five day 10 hr program in October 2026, on a few significant topics in yoga. This online program may be organized by Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, U S A I am scheduled to teach a 100 hr Vinyasakrama yoga program in Chennai, India, starting from Oct 20 in 2026. It is organized by Atmayogashala in Chennai, India. Here is the link
https://atmayogashala.com/100-hour-advanced-teacher-training-program/ 

On Pranayama 

Here are two quotes one each from Hatayogapradiika and Yogasutras on Pranayama अथासने दृधे योगी वशी हि हि तमि मि ताशनः । गुरूपदि दि ष्टमार्गे र्गेण प्राणायामान् समभ्यसेत् ॥१ athāsane dṛdhe yogī vaśī hita mitā aśanaḥ | guru upadiṣṭa mārgeṇa prāṇāyāmān samabhyaset ||1|| A yogi (yogabhyasi), then (after mastering a seated yogasana and remaining steady in the asana, By strictly following the instructions the Guru, by eating moderately a satvic diet, should diligently practice pranayama . तस्मि स्मि स्मि न् सति ति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर् गति ति वि वि च्छेदः प्राणायामः ॥ २.४९ ॥tasmin sati śvāsapraśvāsayor gativicchedaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ || 2.49 || Remaining in a yogasana ( as per the parameters mandated in the two previous sutras), voluntarily controlling both the inhalation and exhalation is considered pranayama Both in hatayogapradipika and the yogasutras the importance of perfection in posture as a prerequisite for pranayama is emphasized, So would Sri Krishnamacharya. Many may have seen the very impressive pictures and videos of my Guru doing various asanas and vinyasas. Witnessing him doing pranayama was a unique unforgettable experience. Sitting perfectly and comfortably in a classic yogic posture, he would do pranayama. During his smooth inhalation absolutely uninterrupted, his chest would expand like Hanuman's expansion of chest before leaping over the Indian Ocean to get to Lanka. His exhalation would likewise be continuous with his lower abdomen shrinking and ending in uddiyana bandha. He was a master yogi, in all departments of yoga