Pranava And Praṇidhāna: Gateways To Isvara

Pranava and Praṇidhāna: Gateways to Isvara

 (Teachings from Patanjali Yogasutras)

Among the pathways that Patanjali lays out in the endeavour to refine the mind to its highest potential, Isvara Pranidhana stands out, for the number of times it is reiterated. While at a surface level, Isvara Pranidhana is translated as ” Surrendering to a higher power,” the subtle nuances of Isvara Pranidhana and the methodology suggested for Isvara Pranidhana, using the Pranava, deserve to be studied in depth as the crest jewel of the Yogasutra. In this weekend immersion, senior yoga therapist and expert in Yoga philosophy, Smt. Nrithya Jagannathan, unpacks the centrality of japa in facilitating Isvara Pranidhana, while also giving participants and experience of the power of japa in bringing quietude to the mind.

This retreat will integrate guided practices of asana, pranayama and dhyanam, into a study of Isvara Pranidhana and pranava japa as presented in the Yogasutra and its commentaries.

The Details of the Retreat are as follows:

*Suitable age group 18 years and above*

Date & timings: Starts on the evening of Friday, 22^nd August, 2025 at 4.30 pm and concludes on Sunday, 24^th, August, 2025, 12.30 pm

Venue: Indica Gurukulam @ Ritambhara, No. 69, BMTC Layout, Adjacent to Kammasandra Village, Lakshmipura Hobli.

The Retreat, located just on the outskirts of Bangalore city, is a small beautiful space dedicated to Yoga & spiritual studies and practices in a simple and clean environment adjacent to a farm of its own.

Retreat Fee: Rs 8,000/- per person. The fees in inclusive of boarding, lodging and teaching plus resources materials.

Accommodation: Shared accommodation will be provided

Food: Simple sattvik food with fresh grown vegetables from the farm

Reaching the Retreat Venue: The venue is about 22 kms from Majestic Bus Stand and is accessible through Magadi Road and Tumkur Road preferably through own vehicles. The retreat center is very close to ‘Kamadhanu Kshetra’ – a highly popular Raghavendra Swamy temple in last few years. It would take about an hour to reach the retreat venue from the heart of the city. Participants have to make their own arrangements. If any assistance is required Indica Yoga Team will help.

Faculty

Smt. Nrithya Jagannathan

Director, KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai

Nrithya Jagannathan is a senior yoga therapist from the Krishnamacharya tradition and was a student of renowned Yogacharya Sri T K V Desikachar for over a decade. With over 20 years of teaching experience, she is currently the Director of the KYM Institute of Yoga Studies, the training and certification wing of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. She has traveled extensively around the world to teach Yoga, Yoga therapy and Vedic Chanting and is a certified therapist from the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C- IAYT). Nrithya is currently also on the Certification Committee of the IAYT. Nrithya is the chairperson of the IYA Tamilnadu State Subcommittee for Academic Courses and Examinations.  She was honoured with the Yogini Award for Tamil Nadu State by Eduglife Vishipsa in February 2023. Deeply passionate about all aspects of Indian literature, culture and philosophy, Nrithya is also the Editor in Chief of Darsanam, the Quarterly Journal on Yoga and Yoga Cikitsa of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. Further, Nrithya is also a professional Bharathanatyam artiste with over 39 years of experience. She has performed extensively in India and abroad. She has been conferred many titles by prominent sabhas in Chennai, including 'Yuva Kala Bharathi' from Bharat Kalachar and 'Nritya Jyoti' from Kartik Fine Arts. The KYM recently released Nrithya's book, " A Return to Completeness," that presents the journey of every seeker as experienced by her, integrating many decades of study, research and involvement in Yoga, Indian aesthetics, music, dance and culture.