Nefesh Haya
Daily Practice and Postures
A starting guide to practice the technique
Before moving forward to the order of practice - please be sure to read the Definition and Beginning Practice page.
The practice of Ophanim is based on the oldest text of the Kabala, the Sefer Yetzirah, which means the “Book of Creation.” In this book, the Hebrew letters are arranged in four groups called “Mothers,” “Doubles,” “Simples,” and “Finals.”
Mother letters are practiced every day. Double letters are practiced on their respective day of the week. Simple letters are practiced during their respective months. Final letters are practiced in conjunction with their regular counterparts or may all be done for an extended daily practice.
This page is a primer to the practice of Ophanim. If you are interested in further study and in depth explanation of the order of postures, we suggest ordering the book: Ophanim: Yoga of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet: A Practical Guide by Zvi Zavidowsky.
CLICK HERE for more information on the book and to order.
Also you can CLICK HERE for a list of instructors of Ophanim and Jewish Prophetic Meditation.
The practice of Ophanim is based on the oldest text of the Kabala, the Sefer Yetzirah, which means the “Book of Creation.” In this book, the Hebrew letters are arranged in four groups called “Mothers,” “Doubles,” “Simples,” and “Finals.”
Mother letters are practiced every day. Double letters are practiced on their respective day of the week. Simple letters are practiced during their respective months. Final letters are practiced in conjunction with their regular counterparts or may all be done for an extended daily practice.
This page is a primer to the practice of Ophanim. If you are interested in further study and in depth explanation of the order of postures, we suggest ordering the book: Ophanim: Yoga of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet: A Practical Guide by Zvi Zavidowsky.
CLICK HERE for more information on the book and to order.
Also you can CLICK HERE for a list of instructors of Ophanim and Jewish Prophetic Meditation.
Ophanim Movement
This section gives a brief overview of the sequence of postures in Ophanim.
- In accordance with Hebrew writing; all pictures and descriptions are in order from right to left / top to bottom.
Click on a picture to view a larger version with description.
- In accordance with Hebrew writing; all pictures and descriptions are in order from right to left / top to bottom.
Click on a picture to view a larger version with description.
Mothers - Everyday
Mothers should be practiced everyday. These include (from right to left) :
Shin ש - Mem מ - Aleph א
Doubles - Days of the week
Doubles are practiced on their respective day of the week. (all descriptions are from right to left top to bottom):
Wednesday Chaf כ - Tuesday Dalet ד - Monday Gimel ג - Sunday Bet ב
Saturday Tav ת - Friday Resh ר - Thursday Peh פ
Simples - Months of the year
Simples are related to the Hebrew months (counting from the first month of spring; all descriptions are from right to left top to bottom):
The 3rd of Sivan Zayin ז - The 2nd of Iyar Vav ו - The 1st of Nisan Heh ה
The 6th of Elul Yud י - The 5th of Av Tet ט - The 4th of Tammuz Chet ח
Simples continued...
The 9th of Kislev Samech ס - The 8th of Heshvan Nun נ - The 7th of Tishrei Lamed ל
The 12th of Adar Kuf ק - The 11th of Shevat Tzadi צ - The 10th of Tevet Ayin ע
The 9th of Kislev Samech ס - The 8th of Heshvan Nun נ - The 7th of Tishrei Lamed ל
The 12th of Adar Kuf ק - The 11th of Shevat Tzadi צ - The 10th of Tevet Ayin ע
Finals - Respective to Mothers
Final letters are practiced in conjunction with their regular counterparts or may all be done for an extended daily practice.
Thursday Peh sofit ף -Wednesday Chaf sofit ך - Everyday Mem sofit ם
Heshvan Nun sofit ן - Shevat Tzadi sofit ץ
