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Experience the power of pranayama to positively shape your whole being.

Prana is the basis of life and pranayama is the limb of  yoga most directly involved with managing prana. Grow your yoga practice by developing strong foundations in the theory of prana and the practice of pranayama. 

While learning the physical and subtle anatomy relevant to prana and pranayama, progress systematically through techniques to: 1. prepare the body for pranayama; 2. tune into the rhythm of your breath; 3. expand your breath capacity; 4. balance the pranic system; 5. vitalize the pranic system.

Learn to work with different mudras to refine the awareness and connect with pranic flows to deepen your practice through prana awareness practices and mudra pranayamas. 

This course approaches prana & pranayama within the framework and understanding as developed in the tradition of the Bihar School of Yoga.

This course is suitable for yoga practitioners at all levels, including teachers who want to develop a strong home practice of pranayama.


“When the yogic texts state that through pranayama one can control one’s circumstances and character, and harmonize the individual life with cosmic life, they are referring to the power of pranayama to bring about such an intrinsic transformation.”
-Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati



FAQs

  • When can I start the course? How long do I have to complete the course?

    This is an on demand course. Once it is launched you may enroll at any time and work through the course at your pace. You don't need to wait for other students. You will have online access for one year from your date of purchase. We have designed the home study to be completed in approximately four months, so should you decide to work at your own pace you will still have plenty of time to finish the course.

  • What if I am Interested in Teacher Training?

    We may offer a teacher training module at a later time. If you are contemplating teacher training in pranayama, we recommend the you keep electronic copies of your home practice journal and any assignments as you may be required to submit these for review.

  • What if I'm already a yoga teacher?

    If you are a yoga teacher looking to complement your asana practice by developing a strong pranayama practice, this course is for you!

  • May I request a refund if I decide to drop out of the course?

    Please note that once you enroll in the course we will not issue any refunds should you decide to discontinue the course for any reason.

  • Does the course have live sessions with teachers?

    Yes! As part of your enrollment you will be able to join live Zoom sessions every month with senior teachers. Sessions will typically include a short presentation on a teacher selected topic, discussion, and time for questions. More information provided in the course.

Course Features

  • Learn

    Learn the foundations of pranayama through fifteen lectures, video demos, extensive readings, and quizzes. Take a look at the course curriculum below for details of material covered.

  • Practice & Transformation

    Develop a home practice of pranayama using guided practices. Deepen your practice through prana awareness practices and mudra pranayamas. Experience how your pranayama practice can positively shape body, breath, and mind.

  • Live Zoom Sessions

    Join monthly Zoom sessions with senior teachers to pose your questions, further develop your understanding and support your practice. Connect with others enrolled in the course. Details provided in course. (Optional)

  • Downloadable Materials

    Sixteen guided pranayama practice recordings. Standalone recordings for prana awareness. Home practice journal templates. Extensive course readings.

  • Duration

    Plan on approximately 30 hours of study over four months in addition to your assigned practice. Work at the suggested pace or at your own pace. Course accessible for one year from date of enrollment.

  • Continuing Education Credits

    Eligibility to submit for 34 hours of continuing education non-contact hours and 4 contact hours at Yoga Alliance upon completion of course (including all quizzes/ assignments).

Free Breath Awareness Recording

Instructor

Swami Atmarupa began studying Satyananda Yoga® in the early 1980’s. In 1995 she found deep spiritual connection through her guru, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. In 2015 she was named a founding Yoga Acharya of the Yoga Vidya Council representing the yoga teachings of the Bihar School of Yoga in India. She was the Founder and Director of the Atma Center, a yoga center established in 1997. She is the Education Director of the Yoga Academy of North America. She has conducted teacher training for YANA, training students from around world. Swami Atmarupa has taught internationally. In 2019, she was one of the primary presenters at the first International Yoga Nidra Conference held at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She developed the Satyananda Yoga Nidra® home study and certification course.

Course Requirements

  • Props

    The following will be handy: a yoga mat and blankets or bolster, if needed, to support the body.

  • Key Text

    Prana and Pranayama by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati. This book is available for purchase on Amazon or may be read online for free. Details provided in course.

  • Assignments

    In addition to quizzes, which will be part of the course chapters, a short essay assignment will be required.

Course Curriculum

Enroll at your convenience. Progress at your own pace.

  • 1

    Welcome to Prana & Pranayama Home Study Course

    • Welcome!

    • Question

    • Course Preliminaries & Resources

    • Register for Live Sessions

    • Video of Previous Live Session

    • Course Progression
  • 2

    Introduction to Prana & Pranayama

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Sitting for Pranayama

    • Practice Video - Pre-Pranayama Practices

    • Practice Video - Palming the Eyes

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Pranayama Overview
  • 3

    Building a Foundation

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Swara Awareness

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Basic Breathing Methods

    • Quiz - Breath Expanding Practices
  • 4

    Nadis

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Full Yogic Breath

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Nadis
  • 5

    Anatomy & Physiology - Respiratory System

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Jala Neti

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - A&P of Respiratory System
  • 6

    The Koshas

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Viloma

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - The Koshas
  • 7

    Prana Vayus

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Nadi Shodhana

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Prana Vayus
  • 8

    Key Concepts for Witnessing

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Ujjayi

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Witnessing
  • 9

    Balancing Pranayama

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Balancing Pranayama
  • 10

    Anatomy & Physiology - Nervous System

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - A&P of Nervous System
  • 11

    Tranquilizing Pranayama

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Cooling Pranayamas

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Tranquilizing Pranayama
  • 12

    Mudras for Pranayama

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Bhastrika

    • Practice Video - Hasta Mudra Pranayama

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Mudras
  • 13

    Vitalizing Pranayama

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Vitalizing Pranayama
  • 14

    Introduction to Chakras

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Reading Materials

    • Quiz - Chakras
  • 15

    Prana: A view from the Upanishads

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Practice Video - Prana Mudra Pranayama

    • Practice Video - Bhramari

    • Reading Materials
  • 16

    Pranayama Research

    • Overview

    • PowerPoint Video Presentation

    • Practice Downloads

    • Reading Materials
  • 17

    Assignment & Course Conclusion

    • Practice Downloads

    • Assignment

    • Thank You

    • End of Course Survey

    • Continuing Education Credits