BREATHWORK & PRANAYAMA TRAINING
40 hours CPD
FOR YOGA TEACHERS & DEDICATED PRACTITIONERS
Pranayama(प्राणायाम) is more than just deep breathing
it is channeling the life force
The breath of Life
through the energetic pathways of the body.
Part One 40 hours
This 40 hours Training is a very experiential exploration into the relationship you have with your breath with clear details on how to unlock any discordant patterns resulting from stress and /or trauma.
You then progress within each weekend into the deeply therapeutic practice of Pranayama with ease. If you are joining this course to enrich your teaching of yoga you will learn simple tools to help others overcome stress and anxiety, and live a happier healthier life.
A step by step guide to unravel the mind by mastering the breath through science & classic ancient yogic texts.
This carries 40hrs CPD certification with YAP cost £350
2026 Training Dates
START AT ANY POINT LIVE IN MANCHESTER
• February 21st & 22nd
• May 9th & 10th
• September 12th &13th
• November 28th & 29th
The whole course will be over the completed in a 6 month period.
You can attend a single weekend to check if this is the right course for you at a cost £95
How we support your personal practice
We’re committed to supporting you beyond the training weekends—because true transformation happens in the moments between. That’s why we offer a range of resources to help you stay inspired, consistent, and connected in your daily practice:
• A comprehensive MANUAL A detailed guide covering the science, philosophy, and techniques of breathwork & pranayama, so you can confidently continue practicing at home. The material is drawn from the Hatha Pradipika, directly translated by Sri OP Tiwariji.
• FREE access to our Breathwork Community CLASSES – Join 2 weekly 30-minute online sessions offering real-time support and group energy to deepen your practice with a heart-focused guided meditation. Find out more here.
• Real-time GUIDANCE and group energy one each weekend to deepen your practice.
• FREE 1:1 Zoom session with Vicki Shields – Get personalised support with a free private session where Vicki will answer your questions, refine your technique, and help you overcome any challenges.
With these tools, you’ll feel empowered and supported every step of the way—building a pranayama practice that becomes a transformative part of your daily life.
Book your spot now and transform your Yoga practice
Mary Brooks
What incredible Trainings ! I feel so blessed that I have found Pranayama and Vicki. It has given me so much more awareness, a stillness & quietness of mind.
Jamie Davies
Vicki's passion for teaching Pranayama is very inspiring, her knowledge & understanding is staggering & her ability to show you what she feels, so you can in turn feel what she feels is empowering."
Dr. Mona Johnson
I've lived my whole life in my head - endlessly problem-solving and planning for the future into a numb disconnection. This course taught me that the focus on the nervous system regulation via the breath was what I’d been craving over years "
What can I expect from the weekends of Part One ?
You will learn how working with the breath is an important foundation of any practice. Pranayama can be a both a tool for health and also in mastering the mind. It is correct and effective breathing that aids yoga asana, reduces stress and much more. With step by step instruction you will develop a self practice alongside the importance of preparatory exercises together with 6 of the classic pranayama techniques outlined in Hathapradipika.
MODULE ONE The Breath & the Nervous System
-
Understand the NERVOUS SYSTEM, vagal tone, and how breath regulates the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
-
HEART COHERENCE, the power of the breath to align the heart with the mind.
-
Explore how PRANA flows through the NADIS and how to harness it to influence physical and psychological health & wellbeing.
-
In-depth study of bandas and its connection to the PELVIC FLOOR to help master the EXHALE
-
Clarify the difference between breathwork and PRANAYAMA
MODULE TWO Samadhi & Mind Management
-
MIND MASTERY through meta-cognition, vrittis, to understand the “whirlpools of the mind.”
-
How Patanjali defines pranayama as the highest TAPAS for its profound effect on chitta vrittis.
-
The 8 steps to Samadhi, the DIVINE UNION of Hatha Yoga, its impact on relationships & the awakening of kundalini.
MODULE THREE The Exhale, Retention & Rewiring the Brain
-
The power of the EXHALE, progressing to breath retention by strengthening the pelvic floor connection.
-
The therapeutic benefits of CO2 and its role in meditation.
-
How CO2 retention supports dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, to deepen concentration and NEUROLOGICAL rewiring.
-
Integrating the 8 Angas of Patanjali Yoga into daily practice to plant the seeds of expanded CONSCIOUSNESS.
For full syllabus see our prospectus
Who would benefit from this Training?
These Pranayama trainings are open to Yoga teachers and are extremely beneficial to health care professionals who are now seeing the importance of the breath within the wellness world.
Several GP's have now graduated from our teacher training as Evolve Yoga Training are recognised as leading experts connected to a traditional teaching lineage from Kaivalyadhama, India who place the science and philosophy of the breath at the forefront of Yoga.
These trainings can also be very useful for creatives such as dance and singing teachers, professional athletes, coaches, healers and anyone in the world of health and wellbeing.
Location
These events are held at Studio 17 Egerton Road South Stockport SK45BR. There is a kitchen, outdoor quiet space and is very conducive to this more meditative and therapeutic approach to practice. Plenty of free parking and 5 mins walk from Heaton Chapel Train Station.
1
Pranayama + The Subtle Body
100hrs Certified by Yoga Alliance Professionals
Mastering the mind through the breath
The next step after the 40hours, is to keep repeating all the practices with the help of our 20 hours online learning portal which includes practice videos of the preparatory exercises that are essential to the practice of Pranayama and videos to help connect more deeply to the pelvic floor along with asana routines to further support a seated practice.
This online learning resource supports your self practice customised to your lifestyle and personal dosha by Vicki Shields who has had a daily pranayama practice for over 20 years. Along with lectures on the Subtle Body and its relationship to the breath. This is a deep dive into the ancient wisdom of Prana, Nadis, Bandhas and the Chakras. We'll also explore the vibration of sound and Mantra alongside daily Pranayama, to expand your own knowledge and give you the tools to guide others to do the same.
This carries 20hrs CPD certification with YAP cost £150
When PRANA ( life force energy ) is liberated, by regulating and expanding the breath, it can awaken deep states of consciousness which we experience as stillness & alert presence. When this subtle force is directed & influenced through Pranayama it can lead us beyond the limited conditioned self towards the true greatness of our being.
Yoga then becomes our therapy, we become our own psychologist because of it's affect on the behaviour of the mind. On this training you will be shown somatic movement, asana and cleansing practices to support your Pranayama practice. With regular practice that long held trauma can be released.
Adding Pranayama to your daily Yoga practice will help you EVOLVE, and grow in your teaching as well as your daily life.
• Self-mastery – Gain greater control over your emotional and mental states.
• Sharpened focus – Enhance concentration and mental clarity.
• Reduced anxiety – Calm the nervous system and ease stress.
• Increased energy – Boost vitality and fight fatigue.
• Balanced hormones – Support your endocrine system for improved wellbeing.
• Stronger immunity – Fortify your body’s natural defences.
• Deeper meditative awareness – Achieve profound states of inner stillness.
• Greater body connection – Heighten your physical and emotional awareness.
1
It’s time to AWAKEN your power.
Time to master your reactions to an unpredictable world. It’s time to EVOLVE with the awesome simplicity of
The Breath of Life
This training is more than a course it’s a catalyst for transformation. You’ll learn to harness your life force energy through breath, unlocking the strength, clarity, and calm that was always within you.
By mastering your breath, you’ll navigate life’s challenges with ease, shift from negativity to calm, and cultivate unshakable emotional resilience, balance, and inner strength.
Part Two
20 HOURS ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
A whole library of instructional videos on how to prepare the body to advance in the practice of pranayama.
This library includes all shat kriyas and bandhas such as uddiana and mula bandha. Pelvic floor connection techniques, along with a lecture on understanding the Subtle Body.
This 20 hours will deepen your experience of Part One, aiding your own practice and how you can others begin their pranayama journey.
Cost £150
Life time access to online videos.
HARMONISING SCIENCE & TRADITION TO MASTER THE MIND
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BREATH-WORK AND PRANAYAMA?
FREEING THE BREATH GETS IT MOVING, PRANAYAMA TAKES YOU DEEPER, UNLOCKS THE TREASURE
Breathwork clears the clouds Pranayama reveals the sky.
GROUNDED IN 100 YEARS OF RESEARCH FROM WORLD RENOWNED YOGIC
INSTITUTE KAIVALAYADHAMA INDIA FOUNDED BY SWAMI KUVALAYANANDA
These trainings delivered by Vicki Shields, come with 30 years of dedicated study into Yoga, channelling the precious Life Force Energy.
She was the first in the uk to be delivering the teachings of this living tradition from Kaivalydhama India.
Vicki has trained directly under Yogic Master Sri OP Tiwari, one of the few remaining Pranayama and Hatha Yogic masters in the world. Disciple of Swami Kuvalayananda, Tiwari through his dedication has gained the highest authority in his field in India promoting the transformative qualities of Pranayama both therapeutically and spiritually, to shift consciousness and live from the heart.
Tiwariji gave Vicki his blessing to pass on this wisdom she set up this school in his honour.
Read Vicki Shields profile here
Read more about our teaching our lineage here
Part Three
40 HOURS PRANAYAMA + SUBTLE BODY RETREAT (TBC)
This 4 day retreat will COMPLETES your 100 hours certification,
fully immerse yourself in 4 days of practice, bringing together all elements of Part One & Two in practical experiential experience.
ADVANCING YOUR EXPERIENCE OF PRANAYAMA
& THE SUBTLE BODY
After completing our 40 hour training plus online training 20hours/
You may feel inspired to continue your journey.
You may want to learn how to share these techniques with others by deepening your understanding.
This 4-day immersive retreat–along with the online resources videos and support material to deepen your practice and expand your skills—achieving a total of 100 hours training
Just a note: All students must complete the 40-hour foundation training plus the 20 hours online before progressing to the next level.
Studying managing the breath & Pranayama has been a game changer for my yoga practice & a valuable tool for stress management in my everyday life.
Vicki’s wealth of knowledge and nurturing approach to teaching, creates a safe and encouraging environment in which to explore the subtleties of our body. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in anxiety/stress management and also yoga practitioners interested in moving their practice to a deeper level.
– Kerri McKenna 2019