Catch-up, online programmes, yoga therapy and breathing...

Hi yogis,

It's been a while since I've had time to write a blog but I finally have some time after a lot of studying. In this blog I have added a new feature, which is a learning point, in this case it is on breathing techniques. If you have any suggestions for this section please let me know.

After dedicating the past two years to a post-graduate Yoga Therapy Diploma, I have finally completed it, totalling 600 hours of training, numerous trips to London, and countless exams and assignments. This qualification enables me to work with both individuals and groups on specific health issues such as anxiety, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and more. Accredited by the British Council of Yoga Therapists and the International Association of Yoga Therapists, I am now recognized as a Healthcare Professional. Yoga therapy aims to offer a truly holistic approach tailored to each individual, with every programme uniquely co-created based on personal goals and objectives. I can employ various techniques that complement existing treatments or medications, with the added benefit that yoga therapy has no side effects (except for feeling good!). The goal of these accrediting bodies is to integrate yoga into healthcare settings as a form of social prescribing. I plan to focus on this initiative, having already piloted yoga therapy in corporate environments to enhance productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Another area I am currently focussing on is using yoga therapy for pain management. My final research project in yoga therapy, which centered on chronic pain and fibromyalgia, received a 93% grade. If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out, and I would be happy to share my work with you. I am currently working on a course that will focus on yoga therapy for pain management and hope to offer this both online and in person.

In addition to my yoga therapy qualification, I have completed a Sports Massage Course that emphasises moving lymph fluid, releasing fascia, PNF stretches, and addressing tightness in muscles and connective tissue. The aim of the massages I offer is to relieve pain and not cause it which a normal sports massage is know to done! This can be integrated into a yoga therapy session or booked separately.

All of the individual sessions are now based at my home studio (photos above, the cat will not be present!) and you can book Reiki, massage, yoga or yoga therapy in this calming and peaceful place.

Hope to catch up with you on the mat

Louise

Cober Hill Retreat, 2025

We had another great retreat at Cober Hill, with a lot of yoga sessions, sound bath, individual Reiki sessions, even more food, some strange walking styles and lots of laughter again.

I have booked already for next year, the dates are 19 June to 21 June, so we will be there for the Summer Solstice. Get your dates in the diary!

Yoga Classes

These have now been underway in the new venue at Swanland Village Hall since the beginning of June and I have had really positive feedback on the room and the atmosphere. I do have props still if you want to use these but you do need to bring your own mat now.

My timetable for September has gone live and you can book these classes on the app.

Current Timetable

There is a new class for beginners on a Monday morning from September, if you know anyone who would like to start yoga, I would be really grateful if you could let them know about this.

Beginners' Yoga

Book Now

Online Programmes

There is also a new feature on the app which I will keep adding to, online programs. There is a beginners online yoga programme which you can follow at your own pace, there is a cost for this, but if you use the code YOGABEG, (there are a limited number) it will reduce the cost and you have lifetime access. I have also added a body scan relaxation which is 10 minutes long and this is a free audio file for you play.

Spotlight on Breathwork

At the start of every class we always have a check-in physically and mentally and then work on a breathing technique. I was recently asked for some information on the techniques and the reason for this, so here it is...

The Breath-Brain Connection: How Pranayama Affects Your Nervous System

Take a deep breath. Now take another, but this time make it slower. Notice anything different? That subtle shift you just experienced is your nervous system responding to a change in your breathing pattern—a perfect demonstration of the profound connection between breath and brain that yogis have understood for thousands of years.

The Science Behind the Ancient Practice

Pranayama, the yogic practice of breath control, isn't just about getting more oxygen. Modern neuroscience reveals that specific breathing patterns directly influence our autonomic nervous system, the command center that controls everything from heart rate to digestion to stress response.

When we breathe slowly and deeply, we activate the vagus nerve—the longest cranial nerve that connects the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive system. This activation triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, our body's "rest and digest" mode. Conversely, rapid, shallow breathing stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, preparing us for "fight or flight."

How Different Pranayama Techniques Affect Your Brain

Slow, Deep Breathing (like Dirga Pranayama) Research shows that breathing at a rate of 4-6 breaths per minute increases heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of nervous system flexibility and resilience. This breathing pattern enhances activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for executive function and emotional regulation.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) This balancing breath technique has been shown to synchronize the two hemispheres of the brain. EEG studies demonstrate increased alpha wave activity during practice, associated with relaxation and reduced anxiety. The alternating pattern may also help balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system.

Breath Retention (Kumbhaka) Brief, comfortable breath holds increase CO2 levels in the blood, which paradoxically improves oxygen delivery to tissues. This practice has been linked to increased stress resilience and improved cognitive performance, possibly due to mild, beneficial stress on the system that promotes adaptation.

Cooling Breath (Sitali) This technique, involving inhaling through a curled tongue, activates the parasympathetic response while potentially stimulating the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature and hormonal balance. Practitioners often report immediate calming effects.

The Neurochemical Cascade

Pranayama doesn't just change electrical activity in the brain—it influences our neurochemistry. Slow breathing practices have been shown to:

• Reduce cortisol levels, decreasing overall stress

• Increase GABA production, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter

• Boost serotonin, supporting mood regulation

• Enhance endorphin release, creating natural feelings of wellbeing

Practical Applications for Modern Life

Understanding this breath-brain connection empowers us to use pranayama as a practical tool for nervous system regulation. Here's how to apply this knowledge:

For Anxiety Relief: Practice 4-7-8 breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8) to quickly activate the parasympathetic response.

For Focus and Clarity: Try Bhastrika (bellows breath) for 1-2 minutes to increase alertness through controlled sympathetic activation followed by deep rest.

For Better Sleep: Incorporate 10 minutes of Chandra Bhedana (left nostril breathing) before bed to enhance parasympathetic dominance.

For Emotional Balance: Regular practice of Nadi Shodhana for 5-10 minutes daily can help stabilize mood swings and improve emotional resilience.

The Bottom Line

The breath-brain connection validated by modern neuroscience confirms what yogic traditions have taught for millennia: our breath is a powerful tool for influencing our mental and physical state. Unlike many wellness interventions, pranayama is free, always accessible, and side-effect free when practiced mindfully.

I hope you have a lovely summer.

Namaste

Louise