Overcoming obstacles in your practice
Overcoming Obstacles on our path
In this session we look at one of Patanjali's solutions to the obstacles on our path, our breath. Pranayama is the 4th step in Patajali's 8 step path to yoga. Prana means the vital life-force that exists in all things and Yama means to extend. Pranayama is a powerful practice and can be such an important tool to have especially during challenging times. Patajali suggests that a long slow exhalation can calm the mind and so we practice together in this session a simple pranayama which extends the exhalation.
Task: The next time you are feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed simply take 3 deep breaths lengthening the exhalation as long as possible (without strain) then notice how you feel.
Conclusion:
So this brings us to the end of our 3 part course. We have looked at:
- Taking Yoga off the mat with Ahimsa (Kindness) to yourself and others around you.
- Finding the right balance of effort and ease in our practice, remembering 'Sthira Sukham Asana'
- When we find ourselves with obstacles of our path, we remember the mind can be calmed by a long slow exhalation.
I hope these 3 handy pointers taken from Patajali's Yoga Sutras have been as helpful to you as they have for me.
If you are interested in learning more about Patajali's Yoga Sutras and many other aspects of Yoga that we don't usually hear about in general Yoga classes, I have an amazing course coming for you! Please see below all the information for my upcoming British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course.
British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course 1
Starting from Saturday 8th November 2025
The British Wheel of Yoga Foundation course is an accredited course suitable for students wanting to deepen their knowledge of Yoga. This 60 hour online course covers many aspects that would rarely be touched upon on a regular physical Yoga class and is a fantastic way to discover what Yoga, really is all about. The course can be an ideal first step for those wishing to continue to teacher training or for students who do not wish to be teachers but would like to develop their studies of Yoga further. On completion of the course students will receive a BWY Foundation Certificate.
- Yoga Philosophy (The Yoga Sutras and 8 limbs of Yoga),
- History of Yoga
- Different paths, styles and traditions of Yoga
- Pranayama (Breathwork)
- Asana (Yoga Postures) detailed overview of basic postures
- Anatomy
- Relaxation techniques
- Meditation and Concentration
- Mantra (Chanting)
- Kriya (Cleansing Techniques)
- Energy Systems and Chakras
- Devising your own home practice
- Advice, guidance and support on moving on to a teacher training (if requested)
- 8th November
- 6th December
- 17th Janurary
- 28th February
- 28th March
- 2nd May
- 16th May
- 13th June
You must attend 80% of the live sessions on the course to receive the BWY Foundation Certificate.
- No need to travel, learn and practice in the comfort of your own home or whilst travelling
- All live sessions will be recorded as well as special pre recorded material allowing you more flexibility in your time for learning
- Live sessions will give the opportunity to connect with the tutor and other students, ask any questions and participate in real time physical practice and group work
- All the same course material and practices will be taught and presented as the in person Foundation Course.
Jenny Daly
'I completed the Foundation course with Hana in 2022 and I can really recommend it to anyone who is either interested in deepening their own knowledge of Yoga, or progressing to teacher training. The course works really well online and it meant that I got to meet people from all different parts of the country. The classes were really well structured, with a good balance of content, group discussions and practical work- I really looked forward to our classes every month! The pre-recorded materials were a great resource for us to work through in our own time- and refer back to at any point. The Foundation course gave me the inspiration and confidence to continue my path to teacher training- and I'm now a BWY Level 4 Diploma student with Hana!'
Suzanne Rayne
'I have really enjoyed the foundation course with Hana. She has made everything really easy to understand and the sessions have been fun! Hana is a great teacher, she is patient and explain everything really well and she makes the lessons really interactive and interesting. The asana practices are well paced and she gives lots of guidance and encouragement. The recorded material is in bite sized pieces and really easy to use. My reason for joining the course was to deepen my practice of Yoga beyond just the physical practice and this course has been perfect for that.'
Lindsay Davidson
'I wanted to say thank you so much for delivering the course. It really made me rethink my life goals and as a result I decided to do the MA. It gave me the confidence and the motivation to go back to University after over 25 years.'
Join BWY Foundation Course 1
Join us on this wonderful journey and discover what Yoga is really all about!
Sign up today!Session 1
Yoga off the mat!
Session 2
Finding balance
Session 3
Overcoming Obstacles
