Pranayama Class : starting on 1 April

In Sanskrit, prana means vital energy or life force, and ayama means extension or expansion. All living beings are sustained by vital energy.  The manifestation of vital energy is the breath. Pranayama literally means the expansion of vital energy through proper breathing. Pranayama is a process by which inhalation and exhalation takes place in a stable rhythm and harmony, which eventually leads to peaceful and tranquil state of mind.

We are born blissful, with fully functional physical, emotional, mental, intellectual body and vital energy. By nature, our bio-rhythm is balanced through a process called homeostasis, where the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is stimulated by stressors while the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) brings it to the resting phase. Fast-paced modern living tend to over-bombard us with ‘stressors’ (e.g. environmental stress, deadlines, targets, goals, traffic jams, conditioning for speed in words, thoughts and actions). As we grow, the SNS is conditioned to work hard, while the PNS is not allowed enough time to do its job. An observation of such phenomenon is our breaths are usually shallow and fast (especially when highly stressed) and exhalation duration is short while lung capacity is somewhat hindered. Over time, dead air is trapped, blood acidity and toxicity increases, and vital energy deteriorates.

If this is left untreated/ unadjusted over a longer term and if stress is not properly managed, the imbalance in vital energy could percolate into physical body, presented as physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, diabetes, allergies, insomnia, body aches, fatigues, indigestion, menstrual disorders, migraine headaches, irritability and asthma.

The solution is we consciously adjust our ‘conditioned’ and re-learn breathing techniques aimed at adjusting imbalances manifested in different system within our body. Besides restoration of vital energy, physical body and mind will relax and be calmed. Pranayama also sensitises our inner awareness, making mind alert yet pliable and helping us to respond with calmness rather than react to life situations. It also helps in meditation.  Combined with a holistic lifestyle, one would experience an overall improvement in well-being.

Class outline

Pranayama with various functions - for cleansing, activating, revitalizing, balancing, calming, therapeutic treatment of certain physical conditions are introduced. Intensity will gradually be increased as class progresses.

Who Could Practise

Suitable for all ages above 15. Those with medical conditions, kindly notify the instructor before the class starts. This allows the instructor to attend to one’s needs, if necessary.

Fee : RM100 for four classes.

Class schedule : Thursday 7-8 pm

Facilitator : Lim Kar Yee

Kar Yee has a penchant for holistic living through the cultivation of a healthy body, mind and spirit. Though she was trained and had worked in the finance industry, her inquisitive thirst for realising the meaning of ‘life well-lived’ prompted her learning of various healing modalities. These include amongst others, yoga, qi gong, awareness meditation, nutrition and holistic medicine degree by Gifam, U.S.A, yoga therapy training by Institute of India Yoga Therapy, mentoring course by Vision Mountain, Canada; and yoga instructor course by Svyasa University, India. She is a certified yoga therapist. She has taught yoga on a part-time basis from 2007. In 2009, she quit her full-time job in funds management to share her passion for teaching yoga, beyond just an exercise for good health but a lifestyle with practical applications for management, mind training; and the treatment and rehabilitation of modern ailments.  She aspires to inspire by walking the talk on living well, loving much and laughing lots.

Please call us at 03-20959868 or email info@thevioletflame.com.my