Breath & devotion

Mindful Pranayama & Guided Mantra Practice

This practice, also known as Prana Balance, is suitable for all levels and can be adapted to individual needs. It offers a gentle and personal journey into the awareness of breath and inner connection. Breath & Devotion is designed to support balance and calm through mindful pranayama, simple mantra practice, and deep rest.

The Pranayama Option
  • Ujjayi Pranayama — Ocean Breath
  • Diaphragmatic Breathing — Full Yogic Breathing
  • abdominal Breathing — Belly Breathing
  • Agni Pranayama – Breath of Fire (Active Inhalation & Exhalation) 
  • Ujjayi Pranayama — Ocean Breath
  • Kapalabhati — Skull Shining Breath (Passive Inhalation & Active Exhalation
  • Bhramari Pranayama — Bee Breath
  • Nadi Shodhana — Alternate Nostril Breathing
  • Chandra Shodhana — Left Nostril Breathing
  • Surya Shodhana — Right Nostril Breathing
  • Chandra Bhedana — Moon-Piercing Breath
  • Surya Bhedana — Sun-Piercing Breath
  • Viloma Pranayama — Interrupted Breathing
  • Shitkari Pranayama — Cooling Breath (teeth parted)
  • Sitali Pranayama — Cooling Breath (tongue curled)
  • Samavritti Pranayama — Equal-Ratio Breathing (added)

***Some techniques may not be suitable for everyone. Modifications or alternatives will be offered when needed by instructor

The flow of the session:
  1. Gentle upper body & spine opening
  2. Grounding breath (belly / diaphragm)
  3. Balancing breath (like alternate nostril)
  4. Optional energizing breath (light, not intense)
  5. Quiet pause
  6. Introduce mantra (softly)
  7. Repeat together
  8. Silent feeling
  9. Savasana + (selected singing bowl)

We will pause before mantra to let the mind observe the experience of the pranayama practice.

why this flow works better

This session is design by the instructor Oka Pastini based on observation and research of Tantra Yoga knowledge. In many Tantra and classical yoga systems, pranayama → mantra → meditation/rest is a very natural and intentional sequence. Pranayama changes our internal state. After breathing practice, our body is ready to experience the magic of the mantra because:

  • The mind is usually quieter
  • The body is more still
  • Awareness is more inward
  • The nervous system is more regulated

This makes it easier to feel mantra, not just repeat it mentally. Instead of “thinking the mantra,” people often start to sense the vibration more clearly after pranayama. In many traditions, pranayama is used to prepare for mantra. 

So, the flow like : movement  → pranayama → mantra → savasana are often linked:

  • Asana / movement → prepares the body
  • Pranayama → moves prana
  • Mudra / mantra → directs prana
  • Rest / meditation → integrates

These above is a best way to balance the vital energy ( Prana Balance )

To be Mindfull

What makes it work well is how we will transition into mantra after pranayama.

If pranayama is:

  • Too strong → people may feel agitated
  • Too technical → people stay in their head
  • Too long → people get tired

But if pranayama is:

  • Steady
  • Grounding
  • Mindful
  • Concious
  • Slower

Then mantra afterward often feels very natural.

Practice with me and learn deeper : )