When children practice yoga regularly, they receive gifts that extend far beyond the mat. Yoga supports the whole child — body, breath, heart, and mind.

‘Humaning’ is hard. Our lives take place in a dappled world of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, hope and hesitation, love and fear. 

The terrain on this journey isn’t always predictable.  There are forks in the road, unexpected obstacles, indecision, mixed emotions, lethargy, anxiety, and moments as dark and cold as a moonless night in a distant desert.

I had heard nods to Ujjayi breath in vinyasa classes but had no real understanding of the transformative power of a pranayama practice. In my 200-hour training, I had experiences through pranayama that left me changed and instilled a strong desire to share the practice with others. It was also the part of teaching that intimidated me the most. When you teach pranayama,….

Twenty years ago I met Pranakriya (PK). I say met, because it’s a relationship I have – one that’s grown, morphed, and been shared over two decades.  In the early years, it brought joy, sadness and sometimes anger.  If you are in a relationship with PK, you know what I mean.  When the exhaustion of YTT hit on a Sunday after six workout classes, I wanted to cry.  When Yoganand invited us to hold Upward Boat longer and longer while practicing in a 300hr module, I wanted to curse – yet on another occasion it was blissful.  The relationship may sound tough, but it makes me look at my own actions, words, and other relationships,  and holds me responsible.  It asks that

As the year ends, we pause with deep gratitude for the mindful journey we share through Pranakriya Yoga. We've embraced the physical, mental, and emotional layers in each moment, weaving insights from the mat into everyday life. This year showcased our sangha’s strength and resilience, uniting us in person and online to unlock yoga’s transformative power. It’s been inspiring to see the meaningful bonds formed and the personal growth you’ve all pursued.

My Mind and My Body have had a troubled relationship. They’re from different places, with different languages and different needs. Mind wants to dominate - and does so very well - until Body says ENOUGH! I’ll show you who’s in charge here. Maybe you can relate?

Honoring Swami Kripalu on his 110th Birthday: Cultivating and Nurturing the Witness as a Householder

by Lee Furey, Board President

This holiday period truly feels like a season of marvels. Let me just share with you a few of the sparkly details from the past year.

What does the Pranakriya community mean to me? It means that I know that I can use authentic yoga culture as a vessel for shaping change.

Recently, I was teaching a private lesson to a seven-year-old girl and we were talking about energy and how our energy affects others.  Her response to the conversation was, “sometimes my energy is so big I can’t hold it.”  WOW!  What awareness and insight at such a young age.  I knew right then what my role was in working with this child.  How do I teach her to strengthen her container to hold this energy when it’s needed and how do I teach her to let it go (as needed) without feeling a loss?   Pranakriya Yoga has taught all of us to lean in, raise our awareness through breath and physical awareness, to strengthen our containers, and to dissolve our sense of self.