Traditional Breathwork | Pranayama

Traditional breathwork (pranayama) is a practice to calm the nervous system and offload stress. It is an ancient yogic breathing method from which all breathing practices have stemmed.

The pranayama tradition of breathwork encompasses thousands of different breathing patterns that can be tailored for a specific individual instead of being a 'one size fits all' practice.

Some benefits of practicing pranayama include:

  • improvements in day to day breathing

  • ability to take deeper, more fulfilling breaths

  • awareness of the musculature responsible for breathing

  • ability to slow and calm the respiration rate both consciously and unconsciously

  • decrease depression and anxiety

  • improvements in cardiovascular health

  • improvement in recovery time

  • improve athleticism

  • improve digestion

  • reduce inflammation

  • improve sleep

Pranayama may be for you if you’re looking to:

  • improve overall health

  • offload stress

  • find a calmer state of mind

  • deepen your spiritual practice

  • move beyond the physical asana practice of yoga

  • improve cardiovascular and respiratory health

  • reduce anxiety

  • help manage depression

  • healing from an injury or illness

  • maintain deeper lung capacity when pregnant or managing abdominal conditions

  • improve focus and awareness

  • begin a self-care practice

“When the breath is unsteady, the mind is unsteady. When the breath is steady, the mind is steady, and the yogi becomes steady. Therefore one should restrain the breath.”

— Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Why work with me?

If you’ve ever had a teacher, mentor, or coach you know that they gently nudge you out of your comfort zone because they see abilities in you that you may not know exist.

As your guide through the practice I can

  • build practices that are tailored specifically for you

  • adapt practices for recovery and specific ailments

  • hold the space for a safe, supportive, and therapeutic practice

  • teach you about the benefits of regular pranayama on the physical body, nervous system, and sprit

  • encourage you to move deeper into the practice when you’re ready

  • support you in building a personal practice

  • hold you accountable for the goals you set for yourself through the practice

  • honor where you are in the moment

Breathwork pranayama classes online and in person in Calgary
Breathwork pranayama classes online and in person in Calgary

Most adults are completely unaware of the quality and depth of the approximately 22,000 breaths that they take in a day.

Breathwork pranayama and yoga classes online and in person in Calgary

The goal of pranayama practices as outlined in traditional texts is to enhance the movement of prana (life-force) in the energetic body and facilitate the awakening of the dormant energy, which leads to liberation. Overall improvements in health, organ function, and mental well-being are also documented in ancient texts.

When balance is created through focused attention to breath practices, the mind stills, the senses quiet, and the ego-personality begins to dissolve.

Ready to get started?

  • Breathwork pranayama and yoga classes online and in person in Calgary

    Personalized Breathwork Therapy

    An personalized breathwork therapy session is specially crafted for the your needs. Specially structured ways of breathing, as outlined in ancient yogic texts, are organized meticulously. Individualized Breathwork Therapy sessions provide therapeutic benefit and can address physiological and psychological ailments, improvement of respiratory heath and support spiritual growth.

    Single Session (tailored to your needs and conditions)

    • 60 minute: $70

    • 90 minute: $105

    5 Session package: $360

    • 75 minutes each session

    • Tailored to your needs and conditions

    10 Session package: $680

    • 75 minutes each session

    • Tailored to your needs and conditions

    • Includes written instructions for a personalized home practice

  • Breathwork pranayama and yoga classes online and in person in Calgary

    Group Breathwork Classes

    Build the energy in a shared space of a small group setting. Experience how a specially crafted series of breath patterns can affect each of us in a unique way.

    Current classes are offered as registered sessions and vary from 4 to 8 weeks in length.

    Cost per class session varies, depending on duration and frequency.

Important details:

- For virtual sessions: Turn your camera ON. In order to ensure proper technique and safety I will need to be able to see your torso throughout the practice!

- Practiced lying down or seated.

- Practice is done on an empty stomach.

- Health conditions, current medications, known contraindications should be shared with the facilitator so the practice can be made suitable, with safety being of primary importance

Pranayama practice has physical, mental, energetic, and spiritual benefits and knows no lower bound. The deeper one dives into the practice, the deeper they go into the internal microcosm (the Self) and thus realize that they are really a reflection of the macrocosm (the universe).

Traditional yogic texts offer a vast array of pranayama techniques and each lineage or tradition may have unique instructions for the same practice. Regardless of the minutiae, the ultimate goal of pranayama is the same. Pranayama costs the practitioner nothing except time and yet provides benefits beyond measure.