Breath of the Siddhas: A PranaScience Immersion

Ancient Siddha breath, modern science, and a practice you take home.
This four-day immersion is for anyone who wants to understand breath from the inside out, from dedicated practitioners to yoga teachers and health professionals. Guided by Dr. Sundar, you’ll practice pranayama (breath regulation) from the Thirumoolar Siddha tradition, learn what modern research shows it does in the body, and go home with a daily practice you can trust and teach.
Every session includes guided practice. The program follows Yogaville’s daily rhythm of meditation and Hatha Yoga, so study and practice deepen together.
The Tradition and the Science
Dr. Sundar’s approach begins with the Thirumanthiram, the 3,000-verse Tamil Siddha text in which Thirumoolar teaches breath control as a path to a steady mind and a long life. He pairs these verses with his NIH-funded research at the Medical University of South Carolina, which measures how yogic breathing changes salivary proteins, cytokines, and other molecules in the body. The tradition teaches the practice, and the research shows what it does.
What You’ll Experience

Thirumanthiram verses and other Siddha poems: their meaning, and chanting as a breathing practice
The breathing body: how the nasal cycle and the parasympathetic nervous system respond to different pranayama techniques
The research: what PranaScience studies have measured, and what it means for your own practice
Selected practices from Dr. Sundar’s book Mind Your Breathing, to calm, energize, and focus
Mindful eating with breath, a full module from his program Breathe a Little Better, practiced at ashram meals
Teaching safely: contraindications and simple cues for sharing pranayama with others

You’ll Leave With

A set of pranayama practices you can do anywhere
Breathing tools to calm, energize, and focus when you need them
A clear understanding of the science behind yogic breathing
A Thirumanthiram verse you can chant and explain
A safety checklist for practicing and teaching pranayama

Who This Is For
Open to all levels, from curious beginners to experienced practitioners. No prior pranayama experience is needed. Yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and health professionals will gain practices they can teach and evidence they can cite.
Anyone who is pregnant, or who has a heart, lung, or blood-pressure condition, should consult a physician before attending.
Continuing education: 16+ CE hours with Yoga Alliance and IAYT.
What Past Participants Say
“Having read your book, PranaScience, I am more impressed than ever with your work and studies.” ~ Robert Rollings, MD, Cardiovascular Surgeon
“Thank you so much for the fantastic workshop. I enjoyed learning from you.” ~Helen Taggart, PhD, RN, Professor
“Not only are we seeing it in our own bodies, there’s scientific research to back it up!” ~Lori Pierce, YogaForScleroderma.com
“…a pioneer in the area of research combining Pranayama and salivary stimulation” ~Ginny Provost
“Your talk was inspirational! The joy that you manifest in your life, research and teaching is wonderfully obvious.” ~Workshop participant



View Daily Ashram Schedule →