Description

Pranayama is among yoga’s most profound yet often misunderstood practices. In this 90-minute workshop, we will explore its historical roots across yoga and tantric traditions and clarify common misconceptions about its original purposes and evolving role. Drawing on contemporary science, we will examine the effects of various breathing patterns on the nervous system, mental states, and overall well-being.

A 30-minute guided practice will bring theory into direct experience, offering accessible and adaptable pranayama techniques suitable for a range of students and teaching contexts. 

The workshop concludes with an open discussion on integrating pranayama into class sequences, therapeutic applications, and daily life, highlighting its potential to foster clarity, balance, and resilience. Participants will leave with renewed inspiration, a stronger grounding in both tradition and science, and practical tools for sharing pranayama with confidence and authenticity.

Mark Stephens

Mark Stephens is a best-selling author, scholar, and internationally renowned yoga teacher known for weaving together ancient wisdom, modern science, and contemporary practice. His seminal works – Teaching Yoga, Yoga Sequencing, Yoga Adjustments, and Yoga Therapy – are core textbooks in teacher and therapist training programs around the world. He is also the author of Yoga for Better Sleep, which combines yoga’s timeless practices with modern neuroscience and psychology to offer natural, drug-free approaches to restful sleep. His forthcoming book, Breathing: The Art and Science of Pranayama, is poised to be the definitive source on the subject, clarifying history, challenging misconceptions, grounding practices in science and experience, and offering clear, practical guidance for consciously tapping the breath in personal life and social relationships.

Find out more at www.markstephensyoga.com  

Additional Information

Ratio of theory / practice: 30% lecture, 30% practice, 40% discussion. 

Once booked the Zoom link can be accessed in the Meeting Info tab within the event page via My Events. You will also be able to access the recording link via this tab, as well as the Video Library, where members can access all the previous Members Sessions. 

If you are a BWY member, you do not need to book a place if you are intending to watch the recording after the event. 

What to Bring

Whatever is required to sit comfortably and breath relatively naturally.