The Ancient Power of Breathwork: Transforming Energy & Emotions in Yoga

Everywhere you look lately, breathwork is the hot topic. It’s on podcasts, in books, and trending on social media. While it’s wonderful to see breath getting the recognition it deserves, there’s something I’d like to gently remind you:

“This isn’t new. It’s ancient. And it’s sacred.”

For thousands of years, breath has been revered as life force — prana, qi, or spirit. It’s not just something we do automatically; it’s something we can engage with consciously. By doing so, we transform our energy, emotions, and nervous system.

Breath in Ancient Yoga Philosophy: Patanjali and the Sutras

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, breath plays a central role. Sutra 2.49 describes pranayama as the regulation of breath. Patanjali writes:

“Pranayama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath, with the retention of breath as well.”

In yoga, prana (life force) and ayama (to extend or control) form the foundation of pranayama. This practice helps purify the mind and balances the nervous system. It also prepares the body for meditation. Through controlled breathing, we awaken spiritually and experience profound self-regulation.

Patanjali also connects breathwork with mental clarity. By controlling the breath, we create space for calm and steady awareness. This helps reduce stress, calm anxiety, and promote deep relaxation.

The Breath as Prana: A Vital Life Force

In ancient texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, the breath is revered as the vehicle for prana. The pranaflowing through the body is considered the vital energy that sustains all life. It’s not simply about breathing in and out; it’s about the life force that permeates everything. The breath is seen as a bridge between the mind, body, and spirit.

Breathing practices have long been used to control the flow of prana in the body. By consciously directing the breath, one can influence the movement of energy, bring balance to the internal environment, and access higher states of consciousness. This is why, in many yogic traditions, the breath is referred to as the “link” between the body and the mind.

Breathwork in Yoga: A Sacred Practice

As yoga teachers, we have a unique opportunity to bring this sacred wisdom forward. However, many of us weren’t taught how to confidently guide breath in our classes. We may have learned a few techniques, but no one taught us how to adapt them for different students or feel into the rhythm of the seasons, the energy in the room, or the emotional tone of a class.

That’s where the magic happens. It’s in those moments when we listen deeply to the breath — when we allow it to teach us — that we can truly create transformative experiences for our students.

When we honour the breath as a teacher, not just a tool, we shift how we hold space in our classes. We create calm without saying a word. We offer grounding without adjusting a pose. Most importantly, we help our students reconnect to themselves, which is the deepest form of healing.

A Breath Practice to Try This Week

To help you connect with the power of breath in your practice, here’s a simple exercise to offer your students at the start of class:

1. Invite your students to close their eyes.
2. Ask them to place one hand on their belly and one on their chest.
3. Instruct them to inhale slowly through the nose, allowing the belly to rise.
4. Then, have them exhale through gently parted lips, like a sigh.
5. Encourage them to repeat this for 5 rounds, feeling the body soften and settle with each breath.

Just a few intentional breaths can signal to the nervous system: You are safe now. You are home.

Breath & The Elements: A Deeper Exploration

If you’ve been craving a deeper way to explore this ancient wisdom — for your own practice and your teaching — I’d love to invite you to join us in Breath & The Elements, a course I’m co-leading with the wonderful Sue Woodd.

In this course, we’ll explore how to use breathwork to balance the nervous system, harmonize emotional states, and guide your students in a way that feels intuitive, safe, and soul-led. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Daoist philosophy, and seasonal energy, this course will help you harness the power of breath to enhance your yoga classes and personal practice.

We start in September — all the details are coming soon. But if your heart’s already saying yes, you can click here to discover more.

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More to Explore

If you’re interested in diving even deeper into the world of breath and how it can transform your teaching, here are a few other blog posts you might find helpful:

• Why Breathing Is Different for Women: What Every Yoga Teacher Should Know
• 20 Fascinating Breath Facts Every Yoga Teacher Should Know
• The Transformative Power of Mouth Taping and Nose Breathing: A Personal Journey

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