Breathing for Yoga Book

Breathing for Yoga: Unleashing the Power of Pranayama Techniques

You will receive exclusive access to video resources from my Breathing for Yoga book once you subscribe to my Substack.

Once subscribed, check your inbox to receive four videos:

Intro to breathing sequence where you will learn how asana and breathwork can be combined

Release the diaphragm stretching sequence to release tension in the ribcage for more efficient breathing

Sun Salutation A progressions, where you will learn how to increase your respiratory capacity

Warm up mobility and breathing exercises to kickstart your workout or long day sitting at a desk

The significance of proper breathing in yoga

If you teach yoga or have been practicing for a few years, common misunderstandings may lead you to believe that breathing into the belly or exhale through the mouth is good practice. Every yogi is taught to acknowledge the importance of breath yet the way we breathe is rarely questioned.

The 5th century Sanscrit manual Hatha Yoga Pradipika explains that:

“The mind is the king of the senses and that breath is the king of the mind.”

As long as breathing is dysfunctional though, our mind will continue to race and chatter, no matter how much we crave stillness.

How was the "Breathing for Yoga" book born?

In 2015, and while I had been teaching yoga for 3 years, I decided to attend the 1st Wim Hof Method international training in hope of understanding breathing better. As I didn’t get the answers I expected, in 2017 I decided to study the Buteyko Method. As there were still many questions un-answered after that, I decided to proceed with taking a deep dive in scientific literature myself. In 2018 I start teaching at yoga teacher trainings and in 2021 I developed the “Breathing for Yoga” course for the Oxygen Advantage franchise. In an effort to promote the course, Patrick Mckeown asked me to publish the book I was writing at the time.

At the time of the publication, I had delivered +60 breathing workshops in 8 countries.

3 take aways:

1 There is a Breathwork hierarchy

The hierarchy of breathwork has the improvement of unconscious breathing at its base. When you can breathe well unconsciously most consequences of dysfunctional breathing will disappear (incl. bad sleep, anxiety, brain fog, asthma).

2 Good Posture = Good Breathing

You cannot improve your breathing unless you address your posture. Athletes need to address the biomechanics of their own sport in order to improve their breathing at it.

3 Your metabolism depends on how you breathe

Oxygen is used for energy production in your body. Breathing exercises can support or challenge the process.

Do you want to study with Anastasis? Register your interest for his upcoming trainings.

"Anastasis is incredibly knowledgable about the breath. I’ve been teaching yoga for quite a few years and have learnt a lot from him as well as his book Breathing for Yoga. His knowledge goes well beyond wellness trends and deep into the physiology of breathing and how to optimise it for better mental and physical health. I would highly recommend!"