Sacred Breath | Pranayama Teacher Training
with Melanie CooperAn eight-session study of pranayama with Melanie Cooper — the ancient art of breath as a tool for steadying the nervous system, sharpening the mind, and deepening meditation. Grounded in scripture, anatomy and modern science, taught with a trauma-sensitive eye. Joinable as a standalone course or as a module within the 300-hour programme.
Overview
Where ancient breath meets modern science
Pranayama is the ancient practice of working with the breath, and through it, with the energy and life force that moves through us. For modern life it is a quiet, powerful tool: a way to shift our mental and physiological state through the nervous system, to quieten the mind's chatter, and to settle into a more spacious way of being.
What makes this course distinctive is the meeting point it explores – the magic where ancient philosophy and modern science converge. Alongside the practices, you'll discover what healthy breathing actually is, and the anatomy and physiology behind it: a subject that is endlessly fascinating and often delightfully counter–intuitive.
This eight–session course is theoretical, scientific and practical in equal measure. Each week pairs a theory session with a detailed look at two pranayama practices – with time to practise and to practise teaching – alongside a different physical practice to prepare the body for breathwork, drawing on yoga poses, acupressure points, face massage and more.
You will experience practices that are calming, balancing and energising, leaving you equipped to build your own self–practice to support your individual needs, and with the confidence to begin introducing pranayama into your classes, workshops or therapeutic work.
Sessions are delivered via livestream with catch up recordings available for 2 weeks after each session. We ask that you attend at a minimum the first and last sessions live; the experience of practising together, asking questions and being part of the cohort is a key part of the course.
"Simple techniques and the magic of the breath can give us such amazing benefits – physically, but also mentally and emotionally."
Who is this course for?
What's included?
Course Dates
Good to know
- £150 deposit reserves your place. Save your bank details at checkout and the balance is taken automatically 21 days before the course starts.
- Refresher rate: students who have previously completed this course are eligible for 50% off the current fee – online format only, proof of prior completion may be required.
- Hours count towards 300–hour certification or CPD hours.
- Prefer a different payment plan? Pay your deposit and email us to arrange. Full payment must be received before the course starts.
- Select bank transfer (BACS) at checkout — it helps us keep course fees down by lowering card processing charges.
- Bursary available: one 50% bursary place is offered each year. Learn more →
- FAQs Learn more →
- T&Cs Learn more →
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After this training, you will have
A grounded understanding of pranayama – its philosophy, history and place in classical yogic practice.
Practical, anatomical and scientific knowledge of healthy breathing, the nervous system, and how the two work together.
A personal toolkit of calming, balancing and energising practices, ready to shape into a self–practice that supports your own needs.
The confidence and craft to introduce pranayama into your teaching – including trauma–sensitive and child–appropriate approaches.
What Our Students Say
What our students say
"Melanie is simply the most amazing teacher. She creates a wonderful sense of safety, honesty and community. If you can do a course with her – do it. You'll learn loads, be nurtured and have fun."
Emily, Pranayama Trainee"Brilliantly and concisely created, with so much material and guidance throughout – led by the amazing Melanie, who not only has years of experience but is still pushing boundaries and advocating for the power that breath can bring."
Pranayama Trainee"The information is extensive – rooted in ancient scripture and supported throughout by anatomy and current science. I was sceptical about an online course, but the community Melanie built changed my mind entirely."
Pranayama Trainee"Melanie is an inspirational font of wonderful knowledge and wisdom. She has a gentle quality that leads you in, delivering teachings with clear love, passion and experience."
NK"So well paced and structured – lots of information, but plenty of time to experience and teach, which really helped the learning. Melanie's a fantastic teacher and the whole environment was warm and welcoming."
Caroline, Pranayama Trainee"The most relaxing and inspiring way to learn about pranayama in real depth. It has improved my own practice enormously and I already feel so much better for it."
Clare, Pranayama TraineeYour Teacher
Your teacher Melanie Cooper
Lead trainer on both flagship programmes, with decades of practice and teaching experience.
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Course details
- The philosophy behind the practices
- What healthy breathing really is – the anatomy and physiology behind it
- The ancient practices and their place in modern teaching
- Breath and the nervous system
- Breath and the brain
- Building resilience and strength in the lungs and respiratory system
- Where ancient philosophy and modern science meet
- How to introduce pranayama into your teaching
- A theory session exploring the principles, science and philosophy
- A detailed look at two pranayama practices, with time to practise and to practise teaching
- A different physical practice to prepare the body for pranayama – drawing on yoga poses, acupressure points, face massage and more
- Cautions and contraindications, and who each practice suits
- The craft of leading it – pacing, language, observation
- Trauma–Informed Pranayama with Josefin Wikström – founder of Trauma–Adapted Yoga in Sweden and European Director of Programs for the Prison Yoga Project.
- Teaching Children Pranayama with Ayala Homossany – yoga therapist, senior BWY teacher, and founder of Enchanted Wonders.
- PDF written manual – technique reference, philosophy, contra–indications
- Eight–hour video manual – guided practices and teaching breakdowns to support both your personal practice and your teaching
- All livestream session recordings, available throughout the course
- All eight sessions are delivered live. We encourage live attendance throughout – the practices, discussions and questions are part of the experience.
- At minimum, we ask that you attend the first and last sessions live.
- Recordings of any session you miss will be available for 2 weeks to catch up.
- Open to all with a sincere interest in the practice.
- Prior yoga or teaching experience is welcomed but not required.
Course Dates
Course dates & schedule
This course will run again
Can't make the dates? This training runs annually. Here's what's next on the calendar.
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