Breath and Pranayama Immersion

YOGA PHILOSOPHY FOUNDATIONS

  1. What is Yoga and Why Do We Do It? Be aware of the profound depth and potential scope of yoga as a philosophy and practice, and consider multiple perspectives on the purpose of practice.
  • Bhagavad Gita Introduction Understand the Gita’s prominent role in yoga philosophy and establish a foundation for exploring its teachings.
  • Yoga Sutras Structure & Overview Become familiar with the scope and content of The Yoga Sutras.
  • Eight Limbs Intro & Overview Gain an understanding of the intention, teachings and tools of the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
  • 8 Limbs Pranayama Philosophy Understand the philosophical perspective on the purpose and effects of the practice of pranayama.

ENERGY PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICES

THE SUBTLE BODY

  1. Energy, ENS, Emotion Become familiar with the ENS (located within the abdomen) in terms of physical anatomy and its relationship to emotions, plus considerations from a subtle body perspective.
  • Energy & Subtle Body Anatomy Gain an understanding of the yogic perspective on how life force energy moves and functions within the physical, mental and emotional bodies.
  • Prana Vayus Become familiar with the five movements or functions of prana, called prana vayus.
  • Koshas Introduction Learn the kosha model and explore ways to apply and teach it.
  • Chakras Introduction Become familiar with chakras and their symbolism.

MUDRAS & BANDHAS

  1. Mudras Intro & Overview Become familiar with the five classes of mudras (hasta, mana, kaya, bandha and adhara), their purpose and the central role they fulfill in Hatha Yoga.
  • Bandhas Intro Become familiar with the purpose of bandhas and why it’s inappropriate to teach bandhas in most drop-in classes.
  • Jalandhara Bandha Become familiar with Jalandhara Bandha, including its uses, cautions and practice technique.
  • Uddiyana Bandha Become familiar with Uddiyana Bandha, including its uses, cautions and practice technique.
  • Mula Bandha Become familiar with Mula Bandha, including its uses, cautions and practice technique

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

  1. How Yoga Supports Health Become competent in specifying the ways that yoga supports health from various perspectives.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

  1. Nervous System Overview Gain an understanding of the foundational anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.
  • The Vagus Nerve Become familiar with the significance of vagal tone in the experience of stress and the effectiveness of yoga techniques.
  • Stress & Relaxation Response Understand the functioning of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and the workings of the Stress Response, Fight or Flight Response and Relaxation Response.
  • Why Yoga Works Become proficient in communicating how yoga practices impact the nervous system and why this is a critical factor in the positive results from yoga practice.

RESPIRATORY ANATOMY

  1. Respiratory Anatomy Introduction Gain an understanding of the foundational physiology of the respiratory system.
  • Respiratory Anatomy Part 2 Become familiar with the nasal cycle and lungs, plus the differentiation between primary and accessory respiratory muscles and the muscles used for inspiration and for expiration.

TEACHING BREATH PRACTICES

BREATHING FOUNDATIONS

  1. Breath Teaching Cautions Become clear on the cautions related to practicing pranayama and best practices for teaching about the breath, including teaching to beginners.
  • Healthy & Restricted Breathing Become knowledgeable about the power of the breath to affect physiology and emotions, and the causes and effects of breathing issues, including reverse/paradoxical breathing and chest breathing.
  • Natural Effortless Breathing Become proficient in the hallmarks and benefits of natural breathing and ways to promote conditions for an effortless breath.
  • Basic Breath Training Understand the difference between unconscious and conscious breathing and techniques for guiding students in conscious breathing that slows their breathing rate and expands respiratory capacity.
  • Yogic Breathing Understand the differences between clavicular, thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing and become knowledgeable about conscious exhalation and diaphragmatic rib cage breathing.
  • Pranayama Teaching Foundations Understand the parts of the breath cycle, what is necessary for safely teaching kumbhaka and which practices serve different energetic purposes.

PRANAYAMA

  1. Nadi Shodhana Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Nadi Shodhana, also known as Anuloma Viloma and Alternate Nostril Breathing.
  • Ujjayi Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Ujjayi Pranayama, also known as known as Victorious Breath.
  • Brahmari Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Brahmari.
  • Kapalabhati & Bhastrika Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Kapalabhati, known as Skull Shining Breath, and be introduced to Bhastrika, Bellows Breath.
  • Kundalini Breath of Fire Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Kundalini Breath of Fire.
  • Agni Sara Dhauti Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for Agni Sara, also known as Dhauti or Cleansing through Fire.

APPLICATIONS

  1. More Heating Practices Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for additional pranayama techniques designed to energetically heat.
  • More Cooling Practices Become familiar with teaching considerations and instructions for additional pranayama techniques designed to energetically cool.
  • Breathing Practices for Conditions Use caution while becoming familiar with breath practices associated with particular effects and how these may support students experiencing particular conditions. 
  • Yoga & Anxiety Introduction Become familiar with situational and chronic anxiety, research on the effect of yoga, and a general overview of tools that may support students experiencing anxiety symptoms.
  • Anxiety – Practices to Consider Use caution while becoming familiar with which yogic practices may support students experiencing anxiety symptoms, and why they may help.
  • Yoga & Depression Introduction Gain a foundational understanding of the characteristics of depression and considerations from a yogic perspective.
  • Depression – Practices to Consider Use caution while becoming familiar with which yogic practices may support students experiencing depression symptoms, and why they may help.