TEACHING PRANAYAMA
 6-Month Course
WITH MARK STEPHENS
Starts May 8, 2026Â
30 Hours of Learning
Live Interaction
30 CEUs
6 Months of Access
Marina Deetjen, RYT 500, Germany
"Amazing course! One of the best I've ever attended- very well prepared, carefully structured, and full of valuable information and powerful techniques! Mark is unbelievably knowledgeable and has a talent of explaining most difficult concepts with clarity and ease. I didn't know pranayama could be so interesting and impactful! I highly recommend this course . Having completed the course, I now feel more confident when preparing my own yoga classes and guiding my students. Thank you so much!" - Marina
This course begins with the idea of prana as expressed in the earliest periods of yoga’s development, tracing the contours of pranayama theory and practice from ancient to modern times.
We look closely at traditional theories of subtle anatomy and energy as well as scientific understandings of the anatomy and physiology of respiration. This foundation in history, philosophy and science then informs a set of specific preparatory practices for enhancing personal pranayama practices and the ability to teach them to others with knowledge and inspiration..
The heart of the course comes in the guided practices, including simple refined breathing (puraka-rechaka-kumbhaka) and conscious techniques for deliberately cultivating energetic balance, including ujjayi, sama vritti and visama vritti, viloma, antara kumbhaka and bahya kumbhaka, kapalabhati, sitali, and six different types of nadi shodhana.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
IN THIS COURSE
In looking closely at how we breathe (and sometimes don't breathe so well), we begin with both the ancient philosophies of prana and its cultivation and the modern anatomy and physiology of breathing. We explore how to refine one's balance of diaphragmatic and costal breathing in (re)discovering our naturally greatest breathing patterns. From there we explore highly nuanced ways of preparing for more conscious and refined breathing, including with simple postural practices that best allow us to most effectively do pranayama practices.
We then explore each of the original pranayama techniques that were developed in the late first century CE, before the rise of physical postural yoga, offering guided practice in each one. In all of this, we directly connect the study of human respiratory science and ancient to modern philosophies of consciousness, staying in the dance of spirit and matter in expanding our capacity to breathe, feel, and refine our lives.
WHAT WE COVER:
- The Discovery of Prana & Development of Pranayama
- The Anatomy & Physiology of Breath and Breathing
- Preparatory Practices, including:
- Asanas for Pranayama
- Neti
- Talavya Kriya, Simhasana and other tongue and mouth exercises
- Teaching Pranayama Techniques including:
- Basic Breath Awareness
- UjjayiÂ
- Kumbhakas
- Viloma
- Nadi Shodhana
- Kapalabhati
- Sitali
- Deepening the PracticeÂ
- Developing a Pranayama Schedule
- Sequencing Pranayama
- Pacing and Duration
- Introducing New Students to Pranayama
- Guiding All Levels of Students in Practicing Pranayama
WHAT WE PROVIDE + REQUIREMENTS
 As an online course, this course requires a strong and consistent internet connection, as all the video content is streaming (not downloadable).Â
COURSE MATERIALS
- Provided: Video Lectures (9.5 hours), Quizzes (30 minutes), 6 Live Sessions (20 hours), Course Syllabus (PDF)
Highly Recommended:
Breathing: The Art and Science of Pranayma, by Mark Stephens
COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATIONÂ
- Watch all of the course video content
- Attend the Live Sessions OR watch the recorded replays of them
- Pass the Certification ExamÂ
Please note: if you do not wish to receive a Certificate of Completion and/or Yoga Alliance CEUs, you do not need to complete the above requirements for certification. Simply enjoy the course content however you wish!
FORMAT & SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE
- May 8
Course opens - May 11
1-hour Live Course Orientation
10:00am–11:00am - May 15, 22, & June 5
Three 3-hour Live Sessions
9:00am–12:00pm - November 1 & 6
Two 5-hour Live Sessions
9:00am–2:00pm - November 9, 2026
Course closes
Time Zone Converter:
9am PDT = 12pm EDT | 6pm CESTÂ
This course features 30 hours of online learning that blends self-paced video lecture with live interaction. The self-paced portion of this course includes 9.5 hours of high-quality videos that you can watch and rewatch at your own pace and according to your personal schedule. The initial 4-week interactive portion of this course incorporates four live sessions via Zoom in which you can engage with me and other course participants.Â
To make the most of attending the live sessions, it would be wise to complete the video learning during the initial 4-week interactive portion, so you can ask me any questions that arise for you during the video learning.
Near the end of the course, there are two mini-intensives: 5-hour Live Sessions in November where we will all practice and have the option to teach every technique covered in the course.
All the live sessions are recorded and available for you to watch at your convenience, and you have fully 6 months to complete the course. You can either attend the live sessions in real-time or you can watch the recorded replays if you cannot attend live—or both!.Â
This flexibility allows you to complete the course in as little as three weeks or as long as 6 months. I suggest you take a close look at your schedule and create a timeline for completing the course.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
NEW & EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WELCOME!
Designed for new and experienced yoga teachers (& yoga teacher trainers), this course builds upon your current knowledge and experience to help you develop the refined skills for guiding students far more safely and effectively in their breathing practices.
As the vital stream that informs postural practice and is the ultimate foundation for mindfulness practices, this course is for teachers who want to guide the practice from their own knowledge and understanding of how we breathe and can breathe better.
- If you've focused mostly on postural yoga or struggled with pranayama...
- If the pranayama content in your Yoga Teacher Training was inadequate or you've forgotten what you learned...
- If you want to improve your knowledge of breathing theory and practices...
- If you want to learn more about helping students with ailments and special conditions...Â
- If you want to teach from a well of your own knowledge...
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU!
Heidi Nelson, RYT 200, USA
Mark's vast knowledge about Yoga (combined with his many years of experience teaching yoga and training teachers) is a huge asset for anyone who is serious about the path of teaching yoga." - Heidi
REGISTER
$399 USD
FAQs
What if I can't attend a live group session?
How many hours is this course?
Will there be "homework" or additional hours of study?
How long do I have to complete the course?
Is this course approved by the Yoga Alliance?
Will I receive a certificate?
What is your refund policy?
Will I be able to ask Mark questions?
What form of payment do you accept?
Jimmy Corneyre, RYT 200, France
CONNECT
Contact me
Stay in touch
JOINÂ AN UPCOMING EVENT
• 2026 Teacher TrainingÂ
• March: Teaching Sun Salutations (Online)
• March: Asana and Subtle Energy (Zurich)
• May: Teaching Pranayama (Online)
• June: Advanced YTT Module (Zurich)
• July: Yoga Retreat (Bavaria)
• October: Amsterdam, Cologne, Hamburg, Zurich
• December: Yoga Retreat (Mexico)
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
Breathing: The Art & Science of Pranayama (2026)
Yoga Sequencing Audiobook (2026)
Teaching Yoga Audiobook (2025)
Yoga for Better Sleep Audiobook (2024)
Teaching Yoga (2nd edition, 2024)
