Breath and Stillness: The Pranayama Side of Hatha Yoga
What the course covers
Program Overview
- Introduction (10 min) — What pranayama is within the hatha system, how it differs from general breathwork
- Technique Block 1 (20 min) — Ujjayi and Bhramari: calming breath patterns, correct sound and rhythm, when to use them
- Technique Block 2 (20 min) — Kapalabhati and Bhastrika: energizing techniques, pace, contraindications for high blood pressure and pregnancy
- Technique Block 3 (15 min) — Anulom Vilom and Sheetali: balancing and cooling practices, nostril coordination, seasonal use
- Building a personal routine (10 min) — How to combine techniques, morning vs evening sequencing, realistic time commitments
- Q&A (15 min) — Open discussion, individual questions on specific health considerations
About this material
Most beginner yoga content focuses on postures and treats breathing as an afterthought. But in hatha yoga, pranayama is not supplementary — it is half the practice. This webinar gives it the full attention it deserves.
You will go through six pranayama techniques in sequence: Ujjayi, Bhramari, Kapalabhati, Anulom Vilom, Sheetali, and Bhastrika. For each one, the webinar covers the physical mechanics, the recommended duration and frequency, contraindications, and how to know if you are doing it wrong.
Who this is for
Yoga students who have been practicing postures for a few months and want to understand the breathing side. Also useful for people who have heard about pranayama from other sources and want a grounded, non-esoteric introduction to it.
Instructor Bohdan Savchenko approaches the topic from both traditional hatha texts and contemporary respiratory physiology — so you get the context without the confusion. Sessions like this are rare because most teachers either go too deep into tradition or reduce everything to box breathing. The aim here is something more useful than either extreme.
Bring a chair or meditation cushion. Most of the session is done seated with eyes closed. No mat required.
Live session only — no recording available. Attendance is limited to keep the Q&A meaningful.