We usually associate ‘mudra’ with hand gestures used in meditation. But in the original formulations of hatha yoga, mudra encompassed asana, bandha, drishti or gaze, and even inner states of meditative awareness.
When rightly understood, all of our yoga practices are forms of ‘mudra,’ and mudra especially empowers pranayama as well as meditation. Understanding mudra is indeed the key to understanding what yoga is, tying together asana, pranayama, and deeper forms of meditation.
The lectures will provide a brief introduction to the idea of mudra and drishti, their history, and the context for their role in your practice.
Taken step by step, this exploration of the forms of mudra will lead us into progressive refinement of practices of pranayama and deeper meditation, and we’ll experience how mudra and drishti facilitate our energetic alignment - or subtle stimulation of our nervous system combined with physical alignment - in a way that puts us in touch with the experience of the chakras.
The recordings of this course will be available for 30 days.
Course Highlights
- The history of mudra and drishti
- The connection between mudra and drishti and their roles in our yoga practice
- Understanding mudra and drishti from the perspective of neuroscience
- Understanding the role of mudra and drishti in our asana practice
- Refinement of pranayama and meditation
- Building towards chakra experience
Daily schedule
6/12(Tue.), 6/17(Thu.), 6/19(Tue.)
19:00-21:00
*Subject to change. Any changes will be notified well in advance.
CE Credit
6 hours of CE credits for Yoga Alliance.
Suitable for
- For those who wish to deepen their yoga practice
Ideal for practitioners with a foundation in asana, pranayama, or meditation, who are eager to explore the subtle importance of mudra and drishti and to integrate these elements into a more cohesive practice.
- For yoga teachers or meditation instructors
Especially suited for those who wish to guide students into deeper layers of practice and want to understand how to skillfully incorporate mudra and drishti to enrich their teaching.
- For those seeking to fine-tune their energy and nervous system
Ideal for individuals interested in energy work (such as chakra work) or in refining their subtle body awareness, who wish to use mudra and drishti to support delicate inner practice.
What to prepare
Sticky mat, blanket, bolster, blocks, chair
(Recommended but not absolutely mandatory. You can find things at home!)
Doug Keller’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to studying, imbibing and sharing the vast field of knowledge and practice known as yoga. After receiving degrees in philosophy from Georgetown and Fordham Universities in the United States, and teaching philosophy at college level for several years, Doug pursued his “post-graduate” education in the practical experience of yoga at the Siddha Meditation Ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth, in India, for seven years, and spent a total of 14 years doing service, practicing, training in and teaching yoga in Siddha Meditation Ashrams worldwide.
He received intensive training in the Iyengar system in New York City, practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga in India, and became one of the first certified Anusara yoga teachers, producing three highly respected books on asana, pranayama and yoga philosophy. His work has since taken him beyond the confines of the Anusara system. Doug’s further expansion in learning is reflected in his latest and most in-depth work, “Yoga as Therapy”, which is one of the most comprehensive, innovative and useful treatments of the structural aspect of yoga therapy available.
Doug’s teaching is rooted in a vast and inclusive perspective of study and practice that honors the insights of the many streams of wisdom that flow into the river of yoga. A regular columnist for Yoga+ Magazine, writing the “Asana Solutions” column that addresses specific therapeutic problems, Doug is a E-RYT500 with Yoga Alliance and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
6/12, 6/17 & 6/19 Doug Keller - Online Workshop
Mudra and Drishti: Ignored but Essential Keys to Pranayama and Meditation
Note
- This is an online class via Zoom, link will be received one day prior to the class.
- If an unforeseen circumstance arises and you need to miss any hours of the training, please email us with the specific details of the dates/time you will miss.
- If the student is unable to attend the course, recordings will be available for 30
- Minimum of registration to hold the course: 25 students
- SPACE may arrange video record and photograph the training for our records and promotion purposes.
- If you have any questions regarding the course, please email spaceacademy_tw@withinspace.com
