Hatha Yoga Pradipika Part 2
8 classes
OCT 16 - DEC 4, 2025
This second section of our study explores Chapter 2 of the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, where Svātmārāma shifts the focus from āsana to prāṇāyāma—the disciplined regulation of prāṇa through proper inhalation, exhalation, and retention.
Guided by Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat, this module unpacks the original Sanskrit verses with traditional commentary, offering direct insight into the purpose, method, and foundational importance of prāṇāyāma in the haṭha yoga path.
In this section, we will study:
The classical definition and goal of prāṇāyāma
The essential role of nāḍī śuddhi (cleansing of the subtle channels)
The correct method of prāṇāyāma practice, including pūraka, recaka, and kumbhaka
The preparatory guidelines and signs of progress
Cautions and qualifications for safe and effective practice
The relationship between prāṇāyāma, prāṇa, and the steadiness of mind
How this chapter bridges into later practices such as mudrā and pratyāhāra
Each verse will be explored in detail, honoring the original śāstra while offering clarity for sincere students and teachers seeking to understand yoga beyond technique.
This is a rare opportunity to study a classical text in its original form, with guidance that is both traditional and experientially alive.
- Day: Live online sessions every Thursday
- Time: Thursdays at 7pm India / 11:30am London
- Duration: 1 hour per session
- All sessions will be recorded and available for a limited time
Enroll Now
Spaces are limited to maintain an intimate and focused study environment.
Register today and be part of a living tradition, learning from the source in a way that is timeless, clear, and meaningful for our modern lives.
£115
Discover the foundational principles of the yogic path—discipline, environment, teacher-student relationship, and lifestyle. This chapter introduces 15 classical asanas, preparing the body and mind for deeper inner work.
Chapter One of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika lays the essential groundwork for all that follows. This section is far more than a list of postures—it is a complete orientation into the yogic view of body, mind, environment, and practice. Swatmarama begins with reverence for the teacher and the lineage, reminding us that yoga cannot be separated from humility, context, and devotion.
The teachings then move into the prerequisites for serious practice: ethical conduct, moderation in lifestyle, solitude, and the right conditions for internal work to unfold. Without this grounding, the deeper aspects of Hatha Yoga remain out of reach.
The latter part of the chapter introduces 15 classical asanas—not for aesthetics or fitness—but as stable, enduring seats for prāṇāyāma and meditation. Each posture is explained from the traditional lens: how it aids in purification, stillness, and preparation for inner transformation. These are the very foundations upon which the subtle techniques of later chapters rest.
In this 8-class series, Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat will lead a verse-by-verse study, offering traditional commentary and insight into:
- The purpose and goal of Hatha Yoga as a preparatory path
- The significance of the guru and the transmission of knowledge
- The ideal qualities of a practitioner and environment
- Foundational yamas and niyamas as presented in the text
- How asana is defined, approached, and practiced in classical Hatha
- The spiritual orientation behind physical steadiness and effort
Explore the cleansing techniques (shatkarmas) essential for clearing the nadis (energy channels), followed by traditional pranayama practices to regulate prana and stabilize the inner system.
Dive into subtle body practices that direct and preserve vital energy. Learn about mudras, bandhas, and the awakening of kundalini as taught in the classical yogic tradition.
Course to Come
Study the final stage of the Hatha Yoga path—samadhi. This chapter explores deep meditative absorption, inner sound (nada), and the realization of the Self as the ultimate goal of yoga.
Course to Come
- 20 classes in total (4 Parts)
- Live online sessions every Thursday
- Time: 2:00pm London / 6:30 p.m. IST (Indian Standard Time)
- Duration: 1 hour per session
- All sessions will be recorded and available for a limited time
- Divided into four sections for deeper integration
- Verse-by-verse study of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika with traditional commentary
Ideal for yoga teachers, committed practitioners, and spiritual seekers looking to deepen their understanding of Hatha Yoga’s classical roots. No prior Sanskrit knowledge is necessary—only a sincere heart and a willingness to learn.
Register today and be part of a living tradition, learning from the source in a way that is timeless, clear, and meaningful for our modern lives.
