Pranayama Teacher Training Course with Mayavan
( Understanding the Science and Practice of Breath Regulation)
June 21st and 22nd; $375; Schedule: Saturday: 7am – 2pm with a break for lunch; Sunday: 7am – 12 noon with a break for breakfast
10 Continuing Education Hours and a Certificate of Completion, recognized by Yoga Alliance, are awarded to all students who complete the course
This course offers a structured approach to understanding pranayama, the yogic practice of breath regulation. Open to yoga teachers of all traditions as well as yoga practitioners with a regular practice, the course provides both theoretical foundations and practical applications. Students will study the concept of prana (vital life force) and examine how the energy body interacts with the physical and mental states through breath. The curriculum explores how specific breathing patterns influence the autonomic nervous system, affect physiological and psychological functioning, and can be applied to support emotional regulation and physical well-being.
Course content includes:
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The physiology of breathing and its connection to the nervous system
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Mechanisms of prana and its role in yogic and scientific models
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How specific pranayama techniques activate or calm different systems in the body
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Application of breath regulation for stress, anxiety, and attention
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In-depth study of practices and techniques such as anuloma viloma, kapalabhati, bhastrika, and kumbhaka
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Safety, contraindications, and how to adapt practices to different populations
Pranayama is increasingly recognized as a somatic intervention with measurable health benefits. Research has shown that slow and regulated breathing can improve heart rate variability, reduce cortisol levels, activate the vagus nerve, and enhance parasympathetic function. These changes are directly linked to improved mental focus, emotional balance, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and trauma-related conditions.
Despite this evidence, pranayama remains underutilized in mainstream therapeutic settings. As noted in The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, many people living with trauma require body-based interventions to help regulate the nervous system. Breath control is one such tool, yet most clinical recommendations are limited to basic techniques like square breathing or longer exhalations. This course addresses some of that gap by offering a more comprehensive understanding of pranayama’s therapeutic potential, rooted in both traditional yogic frameworks and contemporary research.
TEACHER: Mayavan is an experienced Yoga teacher and dedicated student of Yoga who has spent many years in dedicated practice and service to his community. Mayvan is a director of Yoga Salai, a yoga center in Scarborough, and holds a Master’s degree in Yoga from Annamalai University, where he also serves as a faculty member.