Yantra Yoga in the Czech community is experiencing golden times. We are developing the practice systematically and sincerely under the guidance of experienced instructors. The number of practitioners is steadily growing, and there is ongoing interest in courses for complete beginners. Gradually, we are entering deeper into the experience, so in Phendeling we are also teaching pranayamas, variations of yantras, and we intend to slowly approach the teaching of the lotuses. Our intention is to offer to practitioners the entire complex system of Yantra in its living wholeness.
In mid-October, a weekend retreat focused on the yantras and the first and second group of pranayamas took place in Phendeling, led by the experienced instructor Fijalka Sable. The interest was extraordinary because we had announced in advance that this course would be the starting point for a long-term, regular practice of small kumbhaka. Twenty brothers and sisters gathered, and the gompa was almost filled to the maximum capacity for yantra practice. One sister participated online.
Fijalka guided us step by step through the preliminary series, the yantras, the training of breath holds in the first pranayama, and the principle of increasing capacity in the second pranayama. She taught in her typical joyful and friendly way, so there was no lack of laughter, nor of a relaxed – and at the same time focused – atmosphere. Fijalka is an instructor with great capacity, long-term practice, and extensive teaching experience; she translates many community books into Czech, and yet with her one can experience childlike joy and lightness, as if we were in kindergarten.
On Saturday evening, we had a wonderful Ganapuja with Vajra Dance. The group connected strongly, and through the ritual, much was liberated and transformed. This was also evident during the following evening party with live music and dancing – the Czech yoginis left no one in doubt that they are true Bohemian dakinis.
The weather was in perfect autumn mood. We experienced warm afternoon sun as well as morning frost; the daylight was colored in shades of yellow, orange, and red. In the sunlight, it was even possible to see a halo with a subtle rainbow ring.
As I am writing this text, our new regular online group of small kumbhaka, attended by eighteen practitioners, has already completed its first session. This brings me great joy, because regular pranayama practice strongly supports the integration of the teaching in everyday life. Deepening the experience of emptiness and clarity simultaneously opens new horizons in other Dzogchen practices.
For next year, retreats for the third, fourth, and fifth pranayama are already planned. We will welcome third-level instructor Honza Dolenský, and Fabio Andrico has promised to visit and teach as well. So there is much to look forward to. We remain in the flow of the Dharma and we warmly welcome brothers and sisters from other sanghas. We are open to cooperation and happy to offer support also in places where there is not yet much experience with Yantra Yoga. If you wish to connect, please write to blue@dzogchen.cz
Blue gakyil
dzogchen.cz
