Yoga Synergy & Deep Biohacking: Pranayama and Meditation with Jim Harrington

Jim Harrington is visiting us all the way from Capetown and invites you to join him on an immersion into Yoga’s ancient techniques of Pranayama and Meditation  to “bio-hack” adapt and optimise your brain and nervous system toward  health & wellbeing.

Explore with him ancient vedic positive psychological wellbeing and guidance to unlock youe hidden potential.

The deep dive is divided into two sessions that can be booked individually or all together.

Session 1 - Physical asana to move energy and build vitality

The session will be a general yoga asana based Technique practice in my style which is informed by Yoga Synergy and influenced by Martial arts. This would consist of first around 45 - 60 minutes exploring in detail some key movement patterns which access natural movement, natural stability, mobility and strength. These are super useful for Yoga practitioners as an additional training that will support any other type of asana practice or style of yoga.

These are patterns that come from lesser known yoga forms that I like to use as preparation and warming before deeper asana work. You probably wont find on youtube so don't go searching for them.

In particular we will practice the following:

• "rolling energy ball" sequence. This has its origin in Toaist Yoga (Chi Kung) and Crane style Kung Fu, These are amazing for accessing healthy spinal movement and freedom of the shoulder and hip.
• "Hanging from a tree" An action removes lower back tension and balances the function and firing order of of the deep hip flexor and lower spine muscles (Quadratus Lumborum and Psoas). Elongating the lower spine is a biomechanicaly functional and healthy way into asana.
• "Rolling wave" in transitions which fires up more fluid core strength, heat, and opens the door to a. whole range of beautiful transitions.
• The "saucer hands " drill which is a real favourite and a crowd pleaser. It feels so good! This teaches us about optimum shoulder function and how to more effectively use the binding postures. This drill involves whole body activation, fluid strength and flow and can be used as a therapy for problem shoulders.

Flow practice

This more technical "laboratory" start will be followed by a group flow practice to backing music for around 45 minutes. This will demonstrate the way that asana can create "flow state" an optimal mental state of dynamic focus. This flow practice develops self confidence in practice and will consolidate the concepts and show their application to people's asana practice.

This will be very energising and people will be very much "In their body".

This flowing practice leads us to a quiet and steady, sattvic meditative state, which is a foundation for the second part of the workshop.

In between sessions we will have a brief break of 15 minutes.

Session Two - Pranavidya and Dharana - Knowing and Banking pranic energy

Prana Vidya is a traditional field of practice which develops our awareness of subtle energy known as prana. Vidya means seeing! This is the "missing link" in most modern western yoga practices which stimulate movement of prana but have no tools or knowledge to further stabalize and utilise that prana.

This workshop includes:

• Understanding Prana with both physiological and esoteric models. (Please note that this is not "Tumo" or Wim Hoff breathwork)
• Calm Diaphragmatic breathing
• Guided relaxation and visualisation, and a particular Alternate Nostril breathing technique
• Guiding the prana into the Central Channel - The Sushumna Nadi.
• Stabilizing the mind by Japa
• How to use these practices in daily life
• Question Time

In traditional yoga we begin with the physical form of the body and gradually progress to more subtle layers of our being by working with breath, attention, and subtle visualisation. The physical practice is the foundation for the deeper practices so if you have been practicing for a while, this is your next step.

In a structured way we can move from external practices, physical asana inward towards subtle awareness and stillness.

I will share some profound tools, following the well-worn steps of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. We journey inward, coming to rest in the mind's "centre of gravity", clear awareness of consciousness. And after retreating to this innermost sanctum perspective, we may find the best path back out to engage with our world.

I have been working with this system for the past 11 years and other Yoga forms for the past 35 years. This has brought the fastest success for my students and myself.

Why do I call it deep Biohacking?

The modern concept of biohacking means; "altering the natural processes of one's body to improve one's health or physical capacity", which echoes the ancient yoga tradition's various practices known as 'Sadhana'. Traditionally, Sadhana is work beyond just the physical body to clarify the mental, energetic and even "karmic" aspects of our being.Discover how the latest science is being validated by the oldest Yoga technologies and some timeless practices of yoga are validated by modern science, offering invaluable tools for healing and personal transformation.

What to Expect:

Experiential learning through immersive activities, to ground all concepts in physical practice. Mindfulness with breathing, Quiet mindful awareness. Hatha Yoga-based practices, Polyvagal Theory,  Traditional breathwork to tone and steer your nervous system. Explore subtle energy awareness practices to deepen your meditation experience.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and renewal. Secure your spot today and set forth on the path to a more vibrant, balanced life.

Learn to use Yoga’s ancient techniques of Pranayama and Meditation  to “bio-hack” adapt and optimise your brain and nervous system toward  health, wellbeing while exploring ancient vedic positive psychological wellbeing and guidance to unlock hidden potential:

Discover the profound blend of Yoga’s ancient Technologies of Pranayama and Meditation, delicately crafted to "bio-hack" your brain and nervous system for optimal health and wellbeing. Explore the timeless wisdom of ancient Vedic positive psychology as we gently guide you towards mental clarity and inner peace.

What You Will Learn: 

Acquire practical, constructive tools to deepen your self-awareness and align with your life's purpose. Immerse yourself in internal awareness practices that nurture mental health, wellbeing, and longevity. Learn how to transcend limiting thought patterns and behaviors through age-old techniques backed by the latest findings in neuroscience.

Who Is This For?

Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just beginning your journey of self-discovery, this workshop offers accessible knowledge, tools, and inspiration for all levels of experience.If you need to take charge of your mind and "course correct" your life's direction in some way.If you give of yourself and you feel a need for more self care, introspection and restoration.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and renewal. Secure your spot today and set forth on the path to a more vibrant, balanced life.

Embark on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and renewal. Secure your spot today and set forth on the path to a more vibrant, balanced life.

About Jim

Jim Harrington is a lifelong yoga practitioner, teacher trainer and yoga coach to professional athletes, surfer, Remedial Therapist, and also a father and mentor. A world wanderer who settled in Capetown 20 years ago, Jim published internationally a claimed book -Yoga For Sports Performance in 2022. He teaches yoga and meditation, and trains yoga teachers in Cape Town, workshops, and leads retreats internationally. As a mentor for hundreds of students and teachers, his philosophy is “Anyone who can breathe can do yoga.”

Jim’s approach to yoga and meditation is informed by both tradition and a scientific approach. The synthesis of authentic ancient traditions with contemporary thinking and research-based science continues to guide and inspire his work. 

"I have practiced and taught many different styles of yoga since the late 90’s so my style draws on elements of them all. Indian style hatha and Pranayama from the Himalaya, Ashtanga Vinyasa from south India, Chinese Toaist yoga known as Chi Gung and modern hybrid forms like Budokon Yoga and Yoga Synergy which is influenced by martial arts. I joined my first 10 day meditation retreat in 1992 while living in Asia. In my work with athletes I have learned to adapt everything according to the specific needs of the individual, going beyond the usual yoga templates, so I guess the style and technique depends on who I am teaching. In my own practice I do enjoy a moving dynamic meditative flow OR a very slow, alignment based, practice followed by sitting pranayama and deep relaxation."