Kumbhaka Paddhati of Raghuvīra 2026

Ancient wisdom, fresh perspective.

September 12, 19, 26, and October 3, 2026. 7 Hours with study time.

Travel through time with this exploration of the 17th-century text, which describes 77 unique breath retentions. Together we’ll read, discuss, and try selected historic practices, opening up new inspiration for modern yogis.

For a four-week book club focusing on the “Kumbhaka Paddhati” of Raghuvira, participants will explore both the historical text and its various pranayama practices. The group will engage with the key themes and instructions of the work, supplementing weekly readings with guided breath retention (kumbhaka) and related exercises drawn directly from the text. This text is unique in that it describes 71 different kumbhaks.

Over the course of four weeks, this book club immerses participants in the Kumbhaka Paddhati, a classical treatise on the art and science of breath retention in yogic practice. Each week, the group will read and discuss selected chapters, focusing on the progression of kumbhaka techniques—starting from foundational preparatory steps and advancing to longer retentions, specific ratios, and visualization methods as recommended by Raghuvira.

The club will also practice these techniques together: learning correct posture, preparatory breathing, and safe applications of retention throughout all stages. Key discussion topics include the physiological and subtle body effects of kumbhaka, the importance of gradual progression, and how Raghuvira situates these practices within broader yogic philosophy. Participants will share reflections, troubleshoot challenges, and document personal experience in practice logs.

By the end of the four weeks, members will gain a practical grasp of the Kumbhaka Paddhati’s techniques and insights, fostering a deeper understanding of breath regulation and its transformative power in yoga. Each session blends scholarly reading, group reflection, and experiential learning, making for a rich and integrative approach to this foundational pranayama text.