Full Moon Pranayama & Breathwork Workshop

The breath as a bridge to deeper relaxation

The breath is one of the many bodily functions that happens whether we think about it or not, and yet it is also the only one of these function we can consciously reshape. That dual nature makes it one of the most direct doorways we have into the nervous system, and into stillness itself.

In this workshop we will explore prāṇāyāma and breathwork as both science and practice.

On the physiological side, slow, deep, rhythmic breathing has been shown to shift the body from sympathetic "fight or flight" dominance toward parasympathetic "rest and digest" activation, increasing vagal tone and heart rate variability, a key marker of nervous system resilience and emotional regulation (Jerath et al., 2006; Lehrer & Gevirtz, 2014). Slow breathing practice has also been linked to improved emotional control and psychological wellbeing more broadly (Zaccaro et al., 2018).

On the traditional side, breath has been central to contemplative practice for millennia. In the Yoga Sūtras, Patañjali describes prāṇāyāma as a refinement of breath that steadies the mind and clears the way for meditation. In the non-dual Śaiva Tantra tradition, the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra offers breath-based techniques that invite awareness to rest in the natural pause between inhale and exhale, not as a technique to master, but as a doorway into recognising the stillness that is already present.

Practices will include nāḍī śodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, ujjāyī breathing, Yukti No. 1: Visarga from the VBT and other foundational techniques, building both understanding and embodied experience, so you leave with practices you can genuinely use on your own.

Whether you are new to breathwork or want to deepen an existing practice, this session will meet you where you are.

Who is this retreat for? Everybody. No prior experience is necessary.

Who is this retreat NOT for? Please note: there are some contraindications for some breathwork practices, these will be clearly outlined and alternatives provided in the workshop.

When? Sunday 27th September 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Where? The Leafy Home Co. Studio, 1 Commercial Street, Maidstone.

Read more about sacred embodied breathwork practices on my blog here:

https://www.sacredstillness.com.au/post/breath-as-the-bridge-deepening-awareness-in-meditation