Foundations of Breathwork and Pranayama

Breath is one of the most accessible ways to influence body and mind. Different breath practices produce different effects: some calm, some energize, some support sustained attention. Sound understanding rests on the principles, the major practices, and what the evidence supports. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the physiology of breath as a regulator, recognize the major breath practices, identify their typical effects, and understand the principles of safe practice. What you will learn: - The physiology of breath including diaphragm function and the autonomic nervous system - Common breath practices including diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing - The pranayama tradition and its major techniques at a conceptual level - Modern breath practices including coherent breathing and resonance breathing - The differences between calming, energizing, and balancing practices - The principles of safe practice including contraindications - The role of breath practices in stress reduction, sleep, and performance contexts The course uses readings, practice descriptions, and reflection prompts. Each module ends with applied exercises you can use to explore your own response. This course is written for adults who want a structured understanding of breath as a practice. By the end you will have replaced fragmented breath techniques with a clearer map of practices, effects, and considerations.