Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga : Nadi Shodhana

The Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga: Nadi Shodhana and the Purification of Energy Channels

Ashtanga yoga is a transformative and structured system of practice that combines postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama), and focus (drishti) to cultivate mental clarity, physical health, and spiritual awakening. This system is divided into six series, each progressively more challenging, designed to purify the practitioner, learn hundreds of yoga poses and lead to spiritual realization.

Among these six series, the Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) serves as the foundational series, while the Intermediate Series, also known as Nadi Shodhana, builds on this foundation and leads to a deeper purification of the body and mind. However, to truly benefit from the Intermediate Series, a practitioner must master the Primary Series first. This article will discuss why mastering the Primary Series is essential before embarking on the second series, the significance of Nadi Shodhana, and how students can learn the Intermediate Series under the guidance of Caroline Klebl, a direct student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Mastery of the Primary Series: The Foundation of the Practice

The Primary Series is not just a physical workout—it is a transformative practice that sets the foundation for all future progression in Ashtanga Yoga. Comprised of a set sequence of postures, the Primary Series is designed to purify the body, release toxins, cultivate relaxation and heal the body. The postures are arranged in a specific order, allowing for a gradual progression from easier to more challenging poses. This step-by-step approach helps practitioners build the necessary strength, flexibility, and mental focus that will be required for more advanced series.

Some key benefits of the Primary Series include:

•Increased Strength and Flexibility: The standing poses like Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose) build lower body strength, while poses such as Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) and Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) help stretch the hamstrings, hips, and back.

•Cultivation of Breath Control: The Primary Series emphasizes Ujjayi pranayama (victorious breath) and the use of bandhas (body locks). Learning to control the breath while engaging the bandhas helps regulate the flow of energy (prana) through the body, creating a steady and calm practice.

•Alignment and Awareness: As practitioners repeat the sequence of postures, they refine their alignment and body awareness. Mastery of the Primary Series means being able to perform each posture with precision and mindfulness, which is essential before progressing to more difficult postures.

Why Mastering the Primary Series is Essential

The Intermediate Series, or Nadi Shodhana, is significantly more challenging than the Primary Series. The postures require greater flexibility, strength, and stability, particularly in the hips, spine, and shoulders. The Intermediate Series is designed to purify the nadis (energy channels) in the body, releasing energetic blockages and allowing prana to flow freely throughout the body.

But this purification can only occur when the body is ready. The Primary Series creates the necessary physical and mental foundation to undertake the challenges of the Intermediate Series. If students attempt the Intermediate Series without first mastering the Primary Series, they may have insufficient flexibility, and lack of strength to practice the postures of the intermediate series. Moreover, without mastery of the basic postures, students may lack focus and mental clarity needed to navigate the Intermediate Series.

The Primary Series also teaches the practitioner how to maintain steady deep breathing in asana practice, a skill essential for performing more advanced poses in the Intermediate Series. The intensity of the second series requires deep mental focus and breath control, as the postures challenge strength, flexibility and endurance.

The Intermediate Series: Nadi Shodhana (Nadi Purification)

Once the Primary Series is mastered, the practitioner is ready to begin practicing the Intermediate Series, also known as Nadi Shodhana. The term “nadi” refers to the energy channels in the body, while “shodhana” means purification. The Intermediate Series aims to purify these nadis, enhancing the flow of prana throughout the system.

Key Features of the Intermediate Series:

•Backbends and Spinal Flexibility: The Intermediate Series includes a variety of deep backbends, such as Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose) and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), which challenge the flexibility of the spine and open the chest. These postures not only increase spinal mobility but also stimulate the heart chakra, promoting emotional and energetic balance.

•Advanced Strength and Flexibility: The second series incorporates deep hip openers like Supta Vajrasana (Reclining Hero Pose), which stretch the quadriceps and open the groins, requiring significant flexibility in the hips and knees. It also demands core strength and balance for poses like Karandavasana (Crane Pose).

•Mental Purification: Much like the Primary Series, the Intermediate Series also works on the mind. As the practitioner moves through new interesting poses, they develop the mental focus required to stay present in each moment. The practice becomes a moving meditation, purifying the mind just as much as the body.

Important Postures of the Intermediate Series

Some of the notable postures in the Intermediate Series include:

•Supta Vajrasana (Reclining Hero Pose): This deep backbend requires a comfortable padmasana (Lotus Pose), flexibility in the knees, hips, and spine, and opens the chest and hip flexors.

•Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose): A powerful backbend that stretches the chest, shoulders, and thighs, while increasing flexibility in the spine.

•Dhanurasana (Bow Pose): A backbend that opens the chest, stretches the front body, and strengthens the back muscles.

•Karandavasana (Crane Pose): This challenging arm balance requires flexibility and core strength while also cultivating focus and mental clarity.

•Dwi Pada Shirshasana & Yoga Nidrasana: Asanas which require flexibility in the legs, back and hips and mastery of Supta Kurmasana (tortoise pose) in the Primary Series.

These postures are more advanced than those in the Primary Series and require a practitioner to have both physical readiness and mental preparedness to execute them properly.

Learning the Intermediate Series with Caroline Klebl

One of the most effective ways to learn the Intermediate Series is to study under an experienced teacher. Caroline Klebl, a direct student of the legendary Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is a renowned expert in the field of Ashtanga Yoga and offers Yoga Teacher Training programs that include detailed teachings of both the Primary and Intermediate Series.

Caroline’s approach to teaching the Intermediate Series is rooted in her deep understanding of the traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice, which she learned directly from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. Caroline also authored a comprehensive book on the Primary and Intermediate Series, providing detailed insights into the postures, alignment, and philosophy of the Ashtanga system.

What Students Will Learn in Caroline’s Yoga Teacher Training

•Step-by-Step Guidance on the Primary Series and Intermediate Series, for those who have completed the Primary Series: Caroline provides students with a detailed breakdown of each posture of the Primary and Intermediate Series, ensuring that they understand the physical and energetic requirements of the practice.

•Refining Alignment and Technique: Students will learn how to execute the more challenging postures of the Intermediate Series with proper alignment, helping them avoid injury and achieve deeper physical and energetic benefits.

•Focus on Breath and Bandhas: Caroline emphasizes the importance of breath control and bandha engagement in both the Primary and Intermediate Series, as these practices are essential for progressing in Ashtanga Yoga.

•Mindfulness and Mental Clarity: Caroline’s teachings also emphasize the importance of cultivating mental focus and mindfulness in the practice, as the Intermediate Series requires not only physical strength but also emotional and mental purification.

Whether attending the Yoga Teacher Training in Los Angeles or studying online, students will receive personalized attention and instruction to help them advance in their practice, with a focus on achieving poses, alignment, and the philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga.

Conclusion

The Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga, or Nadi Shodhana, is a powerful and transformative practice that builds on the foundation laid in the Primary Series. It offers practitioners the opportunity to deepen their understanding of yoga, purify their energy channels and improve their physical and mental capacities. However, to truly benefit from the Intermediate Series, it is essential to have a strong foundation in the Primary Series.

Caroline Klebl’s Yoga Teacher Training provides a comprehensive learning experience for those ready to embark on the journey of mastering both the Primary and Intermediate Series. As a direct student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Caroline offers invaluable insights into the practice, helping students progress with knowledge and confidence. With the right guidance and dedication, the Intermediate Series becomes not just a series of postures, but a pathway to greater clarity, strength, and spiritual awakening.