On Demand Seminar: Yoga and the Science of Breath – From Molecular Pathways to Therapeutic Insight

Description

Yoga and the Science of Breath: From Molecular Pathways to Therapeutic Insight

Understanding new research from Dr Manjunath and its implications for yoga therapy

Across disciplines, scientists are uncovering how the simple act of breathing engages some of the body’s most sophisticated biological systems.

A recent paper by one of the most respected yoga research groups in India, led by Dr Manjunath, bridges discoveries from advanced biology with traditional breath practices in a way not previously seen. Among these, it references the work of the 2019 Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine, William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe, and Gregg L. Semenza, whose findings illuminate micro-physiological mechanisms that further explain the clinical value of kumbhak (breath retention). The paper also integrates recent advances in physiology and microbiology that offer new insight into how diverse breathing techniques influence the body and mind.

While the paper cites many mechanisms, it offers little explanation of them. Heather Mason, with a background in neuroscience, physiology, and microbiology, will offer that clarity.

In this interactive one-hour talk, she will unpack the cited mechanisms in accessible language, connect them to the broader landscape of breath research, and demonstrate how these discoveries can refine the therapeutic use of pranayama and breath regulation within yoga and/or yoga therapy.

This session moves beyond celebration to interpretation. It examines how recent discoveries redefine our understanding of breath and its clinical potential. Participants will leave with a clearer grasp of the mechanisms shaping contemporary breath science and how they can be meaningfully applied in practice.

Learn via this on-demand lecture and explore how cutting-edge breath science is reshaping yoga therapy practice.