Breathing Foundations

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Objectives at a Glance

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.

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2. 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.

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3. Natural Effortless Breathing

Become proficient in the naming conventions related to natural breathing and diaphragmatic or belly breathing; characteristics and benefits of natural breathing; and ways to teach belly breathing, the three-part breath and effortless breathing.

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4. 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.

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5. Yogic Breathing

Understand the differences between clavicular, thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing and become knowledgeable about conscious exhalation and diaphragmatic rib cage breathing.

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6. 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 & Breath Practices: Teaching Cautions & Considerations

Lesson Overview

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In this lesson, we examine the fundamental cautions related to pranayama.

Objective

Become clear on the fundamental cautions related to practicing pranayama and the associated implications and best practices for teaching about the breath.

Description

Clarify the importance of distinguishing between preparatory breath practices and formal pranayama techniques. Delineate which practices are safe for beginners and which are not. Learn which aspect of the breath cycle requires particular experience and skill to safely practice and teach. Explain cautions to be observed during practice. Describe multiple perspectives from which to consider and teach breathing practices and pranayama.