Optimal Yoga: Deeper Practices of Mudra and Drishthi
With Doug Keller
The Sunday session includes an extended practice that pulls together the principles of the previous two days and explores poses and sequences of poses that had not been included yet.
The larger theme is mudra. Within the early texts of hatha yoga, the different practices of asana, bandha in pranayama, as well as drishthi were treated as different forms of mudra. ‘Mudra’ suggests a practice that draws forth what is already present but unseen: ‘Ra’ is from ‘rati,’ to ‘bring forth,’ and ‘mud’ suggests bliss, joy, delight, or enchantment.
We will start in a practical way, with mudras of the hands as a support for pranayama practice. A central challenge in pranayama is to stay with the practice and to stay focused - not to drift away. Mudra provides support for focusing your practice, clarifying and intensifying your experience of the breath, and of meditation.
We’ll explore some of the philosophical contexts within which mudra is practiced, and link it to drishthi (having to do with the gaze of the eyes) as another form of mudra, which focuses and deepens meditation
All in all, the day will be a balance of asana practice, with further insights into the main themes of the weekend, combined with practices of breath and meditation, and a deep exploration of the experience of mudra as a vital but too often neglected dimension of practice!
For yoga teachers and inquiring students
Overarching Theme of this Weekend Series:
Our bodies and minds are in a constant process of change throughout our lives, and each stage has its own challenges and opportunities. This much becomes clear as we mature. And our yoga practice evolves with us, becoming all the more insightful. A truly ‘optimal’ yoga meets us where we are in life, supporting us and addressing obstacles as they arise.
Aging is a natural process, and the downside of this process involves increasing inflammatory conditions in different forms that not only cause pain problems, but also reduce resilience and vitality. This can begin as early as one’s 30’s.
The body has natural built-in mechanisms to counter these inflammatory conditions, and they are all linked to the kinds of movement, breath, and practices of mental focus that are the essence of yoga practice.
This training is about refining these practices to derive fully from them the benefits that they offer.
Through the lens of practice, we’ll be exploring a range of topics, from the central role of joint health and freedom, to principles of ‘fascial fitness’ that refine our approach to ‘stretching’ and strengthening in yoga, to the deeper systems that maintain our resilience and vitality, and are supported by breath and mental practices. A new dimension of this will be to explore the role of mudra in providing support and focus in breath practices especially, refining their effectiveness and benefits.
The themes will be rolled out progressively over the three days, though it is possible to register for single days. All elements of practice will be included in each day!
Doug came to teach hatha yoga by way of meditation and years of academic study: philosophy, both western and eastern approaches spirituality, anatomy, movement and yoga. Doug’s depth, intelligence and accessibility for translating hard concepts into digestible ones is profound.
Don’t miss these other sessions with Doug:
Friday, 10 October:
Joint Freedom is the Key to ResilienceSaturday, 11 October:
Fascial Fitness in Asana Practice: Resilience and VitalitySunday, 12 October:
The Deeper Practices of Mudra and Drishthi
Details & Sign up | For Sunday Session:
Date: Sunday 12 October 2025
Time: 11.30-18.30
Location: Studio Fly | Croeselaan 209 | Utrecht
Prices: Early bird:
€85 until 1 July
€99 until 1 Sept
€115 Regular
Get the whole package: All three days & sessions
Prices: Early bird:
€235 until 1 July
€277 until 1 Sept
€325 Regular
This course offers continuing education hours if you are a yoga professional. YACEP CE=6
*We are CRKBO certified and therefore no vat.
about the teacher:
