Practical Samaya Tantra

"Practical Samāyā Tantra" contains more than fifty practices to aid practitioners on their journey of self-exploration. These practices are meant for the experienced practitioner that seeks to understand the fine points of prāṇa and its regulation during āsana, prāṇāyāma, and different states of consciousness. The direct perception of prāṇa and ways to develop that perception are part of many of the practices of this text. The practices contained in this book are those that Dr. Buegel has found most helpful in facilitating the growth of students who have sought to pursue the limits of human potential. Some routines are also presented to address potential risks of advanced prāṇāyāma practice. A Sanskrit pronunciation guide and Glossary section are also included in this book.

"Practical Samāyā Tantra" contains more than fifty practices to aid practitioners on their journey of self-exploration. These practices are meant for the experienced practitioner that seeks to understand the fine points of prāṇa and its regulation during āsana, prāṇāyāma, and different states of consciousness. Following an introduction to the path of samāyā tantra, the book is divided into the following sections: Description and practices help to understand the rhythms and flows of prāṇa, both those that have the breath as a vehicle, as well as those that do not have breath as a vehicle. Building awareness of the subtle flows and rhythms of prāṇa are part of the next section. Practices presented help in developing prāṇa dhāraṇā, the ability to focus directly on the subtleties of prāṇa. The study of prāṇa during certain āsanas is presented. A chapter is devoted to each of the cakras to help practitioners develop an awareness of the various rhythms and flows present within the energetics of each cakra. Use of bīja mantras to tease the gateways of the cakras is presented so that the cakras may then open and impart their teaching. The relationship of prāṇa to saṃskāras is described as well as a method of using prāṇa flows to bring the waves of the mind to stillness. Principles and practices of transmutation and transformation that are key to the path of tantra are presented both to understand the process of self-purification, and also to help understand the nature of the siddhis. The role of advanced prāṇāyāma practices to free restrictions in the central flow of prāṇa is explained. These practices are accompanied by self-applied neuromuscular and somatics techniques to help prepare the structures of the breath for advanced prāṇāyāma practice. Such practices include bhūtaśuddhi, agnisāra, nauli, and kevala kumbhaka (suspension of the need to breathe). To help master states of consciousness, practices of aum kriya, śītalī karaṇa, and yoga nidrā are also presented.

Initiated by the legendary yoga master, Swami Rama, in 1974, Dr. Buegel has practiced and taught yoga for 40+ years. Dr. Buegel continues the work of Swami Rama's dream to integrate the ancient teachings of yoga with modern science and culture. Students around the world have appreciated Dr. Buegel's clear instruction and explanation of the fine points of yoga practices. He is ERYT-500 certified and serves as faculty for a number of Yoga Alliance certified teaching programs. The current release of "Practical Samāyā Tantra" follows the prior release of "Practical Yoga Sūtras". Like the previous text, "Practical Samāyā Tantra" is a revisiting of the path of yoga originally outlined by the ancient sages. When Swami Rama initiated Dr. Buegel, he stated "I will always be with you." The practices presented in "Practical Samāyā Tantra" reflect the years of sādhana attended to by a yoga master capable of imparting teachings of the Himalayan tradition of yoga during dream and meditation as well during states of wakefulness. Swami Rama has kept his promise to this day. Dr. Buegel received his medical training from the University of Minnesota, with post-graduate training from Northwestern University Medical School and The Medical College of Wisconsin. While practicing complementary medicine and psychiatry for 25 years in both outpatient and inpatient settings, Dr. Buegel integrated his knowledge of yoga, bodywork disciplines, energetic healing modalities, homeopathy, and nutritional science with traditional treatment offerings. Dr. Buegel's energetic healing training in the disciplines of Esoteric Healing, Reiki, Therpeutic Touch, aspects of Craniosacral Therapy, and Russian psychic techniques have helped him to understand the effects of yoga practices on prāṇa flows. His continuing education in manual medicine at Michigan State University as well as bodywork training in neuromuscular therapy, sports massage, lymphatic drainage, Somatics, and shiatsu have allowed Dr. Buegel to integrate many self-applied manual techniques into his yoga teaching as an aid to hatha yoga practice. Since retiring from active medical practice, Dr. Buegel now focuses on helping others find what they need to realize balance, health, and bliss in their lives.