Haṭha Yoga wasn’t the first “yoga” to appear on the Indian sub-continent but it has had an enduring influence on yoga practice - including on modern western postural yoga - through its innovation of using strong physical techniques to achieve results.

Haṭha literally means “force”. This is significant because prior to the introduction of strong physical techniques, yoga practitioners were mainly engaged in achieving quiet meditative absorption to reach their goals (for more on this method of yoga see our course on How To Know Bliss).

Haṭha Yoga, which emerged around the turn of the first millennium of the common era (ie, 1,000 CE), evolved out of several traditions, including Tantra and Classical Yoga.

Borrowing from these earlier traditions, Haṭha evolved and eventually synthesised its own practices and methods to answer the age old question - who am I and where do I fit in the overall scheme of existence.

The answer to this question differs to its influencing sources but becomes central to its own identity as a way of achieving everlasting freedom from the cycles of birth, death and re-birth; whilst simultaneously influencing sister-traditions and other traditions that followed later.

In modern times physical practices become the dominant form of yoga through innovators and yoga masters such as Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and his key students B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devī, who are key influencers on the transmission of yoga to the West.

Where our course differs from others is that, rather than solely focus on what Haṭha Yoga is best known for - postural yoga practices - we go back in time to the “why” of the practices.

We ask and investigate, what is the purpose of these physical techniques? Why were they necessary? And what religious or philosophical problems were they responding to?

We believe it is these fundamental questions that give meaning to the practices. If we don’t know why then what are we doing them for?

“I have been listening to the love songs of form longing for formless. What are these energies undulating in our bodies, pulsing us into action? And this matter out of which our forms are made – What are these dancing particles of condensed radiance?” [vs. 3-4 of the 10th century CE, Vijñānabhairava. Translation from The Radiance Sūtras by Lorin Roche.]

According to the theology of Haṭha Yoga existence is a love song between the power of creative essence - envisaged as the goddess Śakti - and the blissful, eternal source from which creation springs (as well as through which beings are sustained along their journey of reunification back to the source). And the name for this source is Śiva - the ultimate principle of existence.

Through a modern intellectual lens we could just as easily interpret these two complimentary, yet polar forces as the “male” and “female”, “solar” / “lunar”, “yin” and “yang”, etcetera - the “opposites” that enable the creative process to spark and then continue on and on.

But what if we wanted to “get off the ride” and return to our pure beginning-less and eternal blissful essence?

The verses quoted above speak to the heart of this question, as the goddess herself enquires of Śiva to know.

This is the foundational framework of Haṭha Yoga that we will explore and unpack in our course; and it is the reason for the development of the practices and techniques of Haṭha Yoga.

Energy is at the heart of the physical yoga techniques developed in ancient times via the Haṭha Yoga tradition - the universal energy of Śakti (the essential creative power) and Śiva (the source from which Śakti springs and is nourished).

Haṭha yogis believed that our personal “self”, being but a product of creative power, was a direct microcosm of all existence - eg, a flake of the universal, if you like.

If only we could know this, we could take action to invert the process that led us to think in terms of “I” and “me” instead of “we”; and thus dissolve ourselves back into the universal, blissful, and eternal macrocosmic “Self.”

To discover this pathway we first need to have knowledge of how things are; and then the techniques to dissolve our ego.

From this metaphysical concept came the idea of using the body - its cells, its elemental representations of all existence, and an understanding of the primal energies within us - to effect the goal of dissolving self into Self.

Confused? Don’t be. We will explore these ideas together and show you, direct from the ancient texts, how yogis “created” a map of the body - including its key energy centres (cakras), the network of energy channels (nāḍīs) that connected everything within us, and their awareness of the vital substances (prāṇa, vāyus, bindu, Kuṇḍalinī) that needed to be manipulated and directed to realise their goals. And how they then developed specific, specialised techniques in which to see for themselves (and therefore for us to see in later years) the proof of the results.

The techniques and methods we will learn are taken directly from authentic yoga sources (ancient texts). They are powerful and transformative; and will change the way you think about yoga and the way you experience your yoga practice.

Not content with just ancient models and maps, our journey of discovery will also take us through the ages into modern times, where definitions of what constitutes “energy” and the “yogic body” evolve through developments of modern science (anatomy and physiology) and through the beginnings of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy and psychology.

We will also explore what influence new-age thought, the Theosophists, mysticism, British Colonialism, and the transmigration of ideas between the East and West had on concepts of the energy and the yogic body.

And we will meet key figures throughout these phases of development and innovation in order to gain a perspective of what it means when we speak about a “yoga body.”

This is a truly illuminating experience that brings context to the way yoga is presented and practiced in modern times, and for what purposes.

History, theory and concepts aside, our course’s main concern is with teaching you the methods, techniques and practices developed by the ancients’.

Our aim is for you to be able to embody the teachings. First through learning them clearly and in detail; and secondly by embodying them through practice.

All yoga requires dedication to practice for it is through continued practice that one comes to true and clear insight.

Once you have entered in to your own daily practice of the techniques, you will see their true and accumulative effects, so that you will then be able to teach them to others from direct experience, not just as something you have learned from someone else.

They will become your practices and you will be secure in your knowledge of them.

Our courses encompass various elements to maximise your enjoyment, engagement and learning… because we all learn in different ways.

Our key pillars include:

✅ Face to face learning. In our opinion there is nothing to rival face to face learning. So all our courses are conducted this way, in small groups, to optimise your experience. Face to face courses offer many benefits compared with online learning, including:

• Enriched communication. Communication is more than just verbal. It’s also gestural and “energetic.” The best communication also happens in real time.

• Direct feedback. This applies to our conversations as well as to our yoga practices. It’s not optimal to give meaningful corrections or assistance through a screen.

• Spontaneous moments of insight. Sometimes our little breakthroughs come not in the main lectures and discussions but in small moments during breaks, i.e. asking a question as we meet each other coming or going, or passing in the hall.

✅ Daily yoga practices. Our practices are designed to suit the nature and content of each course, so will vary in type, techniques shared, as well as level of intensity. For more introspective courses the techniques are gentler and more contemplative; whilst other courses offer more vigorous and energetic practices. Refer to each Course Features section to get a feel for what is on offer. Daily practices also provide the opportunity to be introduced to new techniques whilst absorbing and embodying the learnings.

✅ Analysis and reflection. We always allow time for discussion and reflection of the practices so that you can share your experience, get direct feedback from our trainer/s, and hear the experiences of your fellow students. These rich discussions offer so much insight, as well as ensuring that you understand the techniques being taught.

✅ Lectures and conversation. Each course is rich in theory and methods, but with ample opportunity for group conversation. Students are encouraged to share their points of view in a supported learning environment. Through this method each course evolves its own unique insights as our students flavour the learnings with what they bring from their own life experience. It’s why no two courses are ever the same. Students can also approach the trainer/s one-on-one at appropriate moments during the course if they wish.

✅ Immersive learning. Our courses are designed as immersive experiences, usually running over several consecutive days or longer.

When attending a course we encourage you to treat it as a retreat away from your usual routine and activities. Freedom from distractions allows you the mental space to absorb what you learn. Of course we all have different life situations, so we run each day on time to allow you the structure to get things done outside of course hours. An example course timetable is presented for you in the section below this one.

A further feature of our courses are the amazing books and manuals we create for you - that are available nowhere else. These range from 100-200+ pages, depending on the course length and its nature. The course books include a summary of all we learn, instructions for any techniques taught; and many are rich with images and photos to inspire and guide you.

Knowing you have a resource that you can always refer back to really allows you to engage with the trainer/s and group in real time, without the distraction of constant note taking - leading to a truly immersive learning experience.