The Physiology of Breathwork
The Practice and The Science
A Three-Part Series with Markay Suzanne, Natalia Rodriguez and Juliana Mitchell.
Dates: August 11, August 26 and September 22 at 7pm ET
The breath affects our emotions, our hormones, the clarity of our thinking and our cellular health. Small shifts in breath pattern can have a measurable and documented impact on all levels of our well-being. And the science behind it is fascinating.
Ancient yoga breath techniques (called pranayama) harness the breath’s capacity. Cultivating an appropriately chosen pranayama practice can empower us toward better health in mind and body.
In this 3-part series, each workshop will explore the juicy science behind a few key breath details and dive into one or two breath practices you can use to impact your state of being in your daily life.
Wed. August 11, 7-9pm ET
Led by Natalia Rodriguez Arango
The Nasal Cycle & Your Nervous System. During this 2 hour workshop, Natalia takes you on a comprehensive journey through the fascinating process of respiration, basic facts on how the nasal cycle works, its relation to your nervous system and how the energy in body + mind are affected by it.
The practice of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Sanskrit for alternate nostril breathing, a traditional Yogic technique to regulate the brain, nervous system & energy in your body, will be studied during the session. We will dissect the why & how it works so that you can continue to discover its multi-dimensional benefits.
Thu. August 26, 7-9pm
Led by Juliana Mitchell
The Healing Elixir you Make In Your Nose! Nitric oxide is a powerful, health-giving molecule that aids your body in profound ways. Not to be confused with nitrogen dioxide (the air pollutant) nor with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), nitric oxide has anti-inflammatory properties, aids us in building muscle, mitigates fatigue, improves circulation, support cognitive function and so much more. Best of all, your body already knows how to manufacture nitric oxide. And you can make more of it by breathing in certain ways!
In this workshop, we will explore what nitric oxide is and the many ways it can uplift our vibrancy. We will also practice a breath technique (called brahmari or bee's breath) that has been scientifically proven to increase the production of nitric oxide in the body.
Wed. September 22, 7-8:30pm ET
Led by Markay Suzanne
The Power of the Inhale, the Exhale & Breath Holds. A discussion about the power of the inhale, the exhale and intentional breath holds. How can the breath impact the body - the bi-directional impact of the breath and nervous system. How we can leverage the breath to self soothe?
Let's explore these topics via educational chatter and an experiential practice. Breath techniques explored will be equal inhale/equal inhale (sama vritti) and box breath.
SUGGESTED DONATION:
$35 for any 1
$65 for any 2
$90 for all 3
Reach out to Juliana: livingnowyoga@gmail.com for donation information (no one turned away for lack of funds).
A portion of donations benefits the Living Now Yoga Diversity Scholarship which supports underrepresented persons in accessing yoga teacher training. Donation info will be provided in your registration email.
This workshop is FREE to students studying with Juliana privately, as well as to the students currently enrolled in her mentorship and/or teacher training programs.
TO REGISTER:
ABOUT MARKAY: Markay is a respectful, welcoming, and encouraging teacher that has studied the body and taught movement for more than 15yrs. She incorporates breath, alignment, and trauma-informed cues into her classes ensuring the safety and comfort for her students while guiding them to listen to their body's unique needs.
Markay's favorite breath technique is the Kirtan Kriya as it combines a soothing and self directed breath cadence with a mudra and mantra of one's choosing. She finds that the Kriya grounds and centers her while helping her to find calmness. She has co-authored a manual on using breath techniques to support the prevention and recovery of COVID-19.
Markay is a RYT500, a breath coach and a nutrition and wellness counselor. She is working to complete her Yoga Therapeutics certificate and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials. She holds concurrent B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and Food Science and an MBA. When not on the mat, Markay is shamelessly reading medical and psychology journals and is doting on her plant-babies.
ABOUT NATALIA: Natalia Rodriguez Arango is a 1000hr Yoga Teacher & Holistic Health Coach whose curiosity, passion for learning and sharing have been the drive to her immersion and devotion to human psyche, movement and anatomy studies. Influenced mainly by Hindu tradition, with a dash of modern world, posture, breath & meditation are the root foundation of the teachings she offers which she has analyzed from different scopes of focus. She has led her classes, workshops, teacher trainings & mentorships in person and now digitally streaming world wide. You can catch her leading Yoga Nidra, Meditation, Restorative or Vinyasa or offering in depth lectures on energy body, movement or respiration.
Holding balanced energy in every session, Natalia invites the student to pause, honor their body & attune to the inner wisdom so they can find liberating movement, listen and observe. Natalia affirms daily intentional practice trains the mind, body & spirit to be in alignment and awakens higher levels of consciousness as well as personal potential.
The mood and theme of each class is a reflection and integration of her spiritual, fun, creative personality. Her language is accessible & comprehensive. It's a full on gaze upon yourself, concepts become deeply embedded in you through clear cueing. A perfect blend of elements: movement analysis, breath awareness, meditation & healing vibrations, empower the body and enable the mind to be present and remain focused while receiving all the therapeutic benefits during practice.
ABOUT JULIANA: Juliana was first introduced to yoga - including breath practices - by her mom when she was 11. At 18, she started to study the breath more deeply which was transformative and life-changing!
Once she had taken her seat as a teacher, approaching the practice via the lens of the breath just felt like home. Since then, and with 40 years of breath practice to buoy her, Juliana has used access to the breath to aid students with anxiety, to support laboring womxn, to uplift those dealing with an array of diagnosis and so much more.