Breathwork (Pranayama)

This is an online course run via Zoom

Pranayama is the traditional technique of slow and rhythmical breathing. With conscious breathing, the body relaxes and the mind quietens, while the breath becomes deeper and more efficient. The technique alleviates stress by switching on the body’s relaxation response and reducing its fight or flight mechanism.

‘Prana’ means breath or life force. Due to the stresses and strains of daily life, our breathing can become more shallow or constrained without us even noticing it. We can develop unconscious breathing patterns which restrict the flow of breath and life force. Using pranayama restores natural breathing patterns and allows life energy to flow unimpeded through the body. This increases vitality in your system, energising, relaxing and healing the body.

Research has shown that positive breath control is effective in reducing anxiety and has a direct effect on increasing an overall sense of wellbeing.

These powerful sessions will take you through the breathing process step by step, teaching you awareness and mindfulness to alter your normal breathing habits and build your lung capacity, bringing wide-ranging health benefits, both physical and psychological. Exercises are chair-based and are suitable for all ages and abilities.

Pranayama Questionnaire

If you encounter any difficulties in booking, please email classes@sadiecentre.org - if it is urgent, ring Reception on 01462 678804

Kate Tomlinson

Kate has studied Yoga for over 40 years and is a 500 hour MindflowYoga Qualified Yoga teacher.  She has studied Pranayama under an array of fine teachers, including Sarah O’Connor and Philip Jones (an ex-miner and one of the first Pranayama teachers in the UK who survived despite greatly reduced lung capacity through Pranayama and Hatha Yoga.  An inspirational teacher, he taught the practices of Swami Gitananda.)  Kate did further training with Swami Dharmananda Saraswati Maharaj, founder of the Dharma Centre, and studied the philosophy of Yoga under Neelam Taneja.  In her work, she combines Pranayama, Meditation and Mantra as a means to gaining equanimity and inner stillness.