Ujjayi is the key to working with your breath in asana so that you can transition to pranayama. Ujjayi can also be a pranayama technique in itself. Kapalabhati and Bhastrika are widely practiced nowadays but require careful guidance to be safe and effective.

With more than a century and a half of yoga practice and studies between them, the Mohans offer you a unique and rare opportunity to comprehensively understand and practice these pranayama and breathing techniques.

In this online course, you will...

  • CONNECT TO THE TRADITION

    of ancient yoga texts and the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya

  • CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE TOPICS

    including modern science and practice and teaching guidelines

  • PRACTICE THE TECHNIQUES

    of different ujjayi pranayamas with guidance from master teachers

Watch Intro Video

Course Details

Traditional explanation of these pranayamas by A. G. Mohan drawing upon from his extensive studies of the ancient texts, including the relevant sections from Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita, as well as other wide-ranging sources such as Yoga Yajnavalkaya, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra, Ayurveda, Vedas and more.  

Special insights from notes of classes with Sri Krishnamacharya: what the master suggested, negated, modified, and more.  

Guided practices from Indra Mohan for ujjayi pranayama, anuloma ujjayi pranayama, viloma ujjayi pranayama, and pratiloma ujjayi pranayama.

Functional anatomy and physiology of ujjayi and forceful breathing techniques by Dr. Ganesh Mohan. 

Modern science and guidelines for practice and teaching, including cautions and contraindications, by Dr. Ganesh Mohan. 

Key verses from Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita with Sanskrit, English transliteration, and English translation of each verse by Dr. Ganesh Mohan. 

Glossary of relevant Sanskrit terms used in the lectures. 

The opportunity to submit questions after going through these materials. The Mohans will answer the relevant questions in live sessions from time to time.

Online Course Format

  • 6 hours of in-depth content

    available immediately upon signup

  • Interactive Community Sessions

    live with the Mohans from time to time to foster interaction and engagement

  • Self-paced study

    learn at your own pace in your own time

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Ujjayi breathing and pranayama

    • Ujjayi in classical yoga and asana to pranayama

    • Ujjayi, long breath, wellbeing, mental steadiness

    • Why ujjayi in asana? - from classical texts

    • Functional anatomy, physiology, guidelines, cautions for ujjayi

    • Ujjayi Pranayama - Guided Practice

    • Anuloma Ujjayi Pranayama - Guided Practice

    • Viloma Ujjayi Pranayama - Guided Practice

    • Pratiloma Ujjayi Pranayama - Guided Practice
  • 2

    Kapalabhati and Bhastrika

    • Kapalabhati in traditional hatha yoga

    • Bhastrika in traditional hatha yoga

    • Physiology, guidelines, cautions for forceful breathing
  • 3

    Glossary & References

    • Glossary of Sanskrit terms

    • Ujjayi in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

    • Ujjayi in the Gheranda Samhita

    • Kapalabhati in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

    • Kapalabhati in the Gheranda Samhita

    • Bhastrika in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

    • Bhastrika in the Gheranda Samhita
  • 4

    Q&A Sessions

    • Submit your questions

    • Q&A with the Mohans: Session 1

    • Q&A with the Mohans: Session 2
  • 5

    Assessment

    • Instructions for Assessment

    • Please complete the quiz with 70% correct answers. You can retake the quiz as needed.

Teachers

A. G. Mohan was a personal student of the legendary yogi Sri Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), for nearly two decades. He has immersed himself in extensive traditional studies across wide-ranging subjects from ayurveda to tantra and Samkhya over half a century. He is the author of several books on yoga, including Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind, Yoga Therapy, and Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings.


Indra Mohan has been studying, practicing and teaching yoga along with her husband A.G. Mohan. She is one of few people to receive a post-graduate diploma in yoga from Sri Krishnamacharya. She is known not only for her knowledge but also for her wisdom and calm presence.



Dr. Ganesh Mohan, son of A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan, was trained from childhood in yoga and other related traditional studies. He is a doctor, having trained in both modern medicine and Ayurveda. He is the co-author of Yoga Therapy, Krishnamacharya, and Yoga Reminder. He directs the Svastha Yoga Therapy and Teacher Training programs as well as other trainings internationally.


Nitya Mohan, daughter of A. G. Mohan and Indra Mohan, was trained in yoga from a young age. She also holds a degree in music and is an exponent of Vedic chanting, having conducted numerous seminars and given concerts internationally. A skilled and experienced teacher, she has been running the Svastha training programs in Singapore for two decades. 


Assessment & Certificate

The course includes assessment through multiple choice quiz. The questions are designed not only to test your understanding but also to help you reflect on what you have learned.

Once you complete the assessment, you will receive your certificate of completion for the course (6 hours of training).

Course Reviews - Pranayama Series with the Mohans

Comprehensive course

I have been studying with the Mohan family for 7 years now. Why? Because the teachings are solid, derived from intellectual understanding and lifelong yoga experience. The topic is conveyed in a very clear format. It involves a deep understanding to boil down Ayurvedic concepts and pranayama techniques into this format without loosing fundamentals and at the same time clearing misconceptions that are out in the yoga/Ayurveda world. I particularly appreciate the evaluation of the different pranayamas in terms of their heating/cooling capacity. You do not find this anywhere ( at least I have not). In addition to the theoretical concepts the course offers examples in practice and also practices lead by Indra Mohan. A well rounded programme with a key message: we need to learn how the pranayama feels rather than going by names and adapt the techniques to our capacity to achieve health and peace.

ANJA O-H

Wonderfully explained course and demonstrated by the extremely knowledgeable Instructors. 

LEENA M

Perfect 

I like that it is short and perfectly explained. 

KETNA S


Course FAQ's

  • Can I access the materials in the course immediately on signing up?

    Yes! This course contains over 6 hours of recorded video content plus reference PDFs. You can view these materials immediately and continue to access them for the duration of your enrollment.

  • Does the course have a live component?

    Live sessions with the Mohans will be offered from time to time to answer questions, and to foster community interaction and engagement. The dates and times will be announced by email to registered participants. This is in addition to the recorded content already available in the course.

  • How long can I access the course?

    You have access to the course for one year from the date of your enrollment.

  • I am unable to sit on the floor. Can I do the practices in this course?

    Sure. The course contains simple breathing and pranayama practices that you can do seated on a chair.

  • Is the course mainly lecture or practice?

    The course contains both. The vision of Svastha and the Mohans is that one should always develop understanding along with practices. That is the way to empower yourself for lifelong wellbeing. That was also the traditional way of teaching and learning. So this course explains the theory behind pranayama and the breathing techniques taught here. It also gives you guided practices so you can experience these pranayamas yourself.

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