breathwork sessions in liverpool
Breathwork is a powerful practice that uses conscious breathing techniques to help you reconnect with your body, release stored tension, and cultivate emotional clarity. Whether you’re brand new or experienced, each session offers a safe, guided journey into your inner landscape.
Kinda Magic Liverpool breathwork sessions are held by certified breathwork instructor Caroline Knight in various locations around the city, and as part of larger events. Sessions are often paired with soundbaths or ecstatic dance sessions, so check out our sessions below to find a session that suits you.
What to Expect from a Breathwork Session
1. A Warm Welcome & Intention Setting
We begin with a gentle check-in to ground your energy and understand how you’re feeling physically and emotionally. You'll be invited to set a personal intention for the session. This could be anything from releasing stress to gaining insight or simply reconnecting with yourself.
2. Guided Breathwork Practice
You’ll be guided through specific breathing patterns designed to activate your nervous system, release blocked energy, and create space for transformation. Sessions may include music, verbal cues, and moments of silence to help you drop deeper into the experience. You’ll remain comfortably lying down or seated, fully supported throughout.
3. Emotional Release & Deep Insights
It’s not uncommon to experience a range of emotions—tears, laughter, tingling, or a profound sense of calm. Breathwork gently opens the door to the subconscious, allowing you to process and release what no longer serves you. Every experience is unique and unfolds exactly as it needs to.
4. Integration & Closing
After the active breathing phase, you’ll have time to rest and absorb the effects of the practice. We’ll close with grounding techniques and an opportunity to share or reflect, helping you leave the session feeling balanced, clear, and connected.
What to bring:
Wear comfortable clothing, bring water, a blanket (if required) and a yoga mat or cushion. Sitting on a cushion is most comfortable and helps to align the spine correctly when cross-legged. Most importantly, come with an open mind and a willingness to explore.
UPCOMING BREATHWORK SESSIONS - LIVERPOOL & CAMBRiDGE
Join upcoming breathwork sessions happening in Liverpool & CAMBRIDGE:
what is breathwork (pranayama)?
Pranayama, the yogic science of breath control, through the practice of breath regulation. In the West we often refer to Pranayama breathing as ‘Breathwork’, particularly when offering sessions focussed soley on breathing, rather than as an accompaniment to yoga. Breathwork involves intentional inhalation, exhalation, and holding the breath in specific sequences, many of which have different goals. The general goal of breathwork is to connect both body and mind, as well as to initiate a wide range of healing processes in the being, and support and optimise the body’s natural functions.
Although pranayama and modern breathwork practice both involve controlling the breath, pranayama could be considered deeper and more philosophical. The word pranayama derives from Sanskrit; prana meaning life force or vital energy, and ayama meaning extension or control. Together, pranayama refers to the conscious regulation of breath, a practice that allows one to influence the flow of energy throughout the body and mind. Within traditional yogic texts, pranayama is considered a core aspect of spiritual development, enabling practitioners to calm the fluctuations of the mind and prepare for deeper states of meditation.
The five pranayamas – Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Kapalabhati Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, Ujjayi Pranayama, and Bhastrika Pranayama – are incredibly powerful techniques to enhance overall health and well-being.
In contemporary Western yoga settings, pranayama is often introduced as a breathing technique used to enhance physical practice, reduce stress, and increase mental focus. It is taught in a variety of forms, from simple breath awareness exercises like dirga pranayama (three-part breath), to more structured techniques such as nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), ujjayi (victorious breath), and kapalabhati (skull-shining breath). These are frequently included at the beginning or end of yoga classes, offered as tools to centre the mind or shift energy within the body.
Despite its growing popularity, pranayama is still sometimes treated as an optional add-on in the West. Yet in classical yogic philosophy, it holds a central place. It is one of the eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Pranayama is the thread that connects movement to stillness, the body to the mind, and the individual to the infinite. It is essential to recognise pranayama not as a secondary practice, but as a vital and transformative element at the heart of yoga itself.
the Origins oF Pranayama & YOga
The origins of yoga remain partially unclear due to its ancient oral tradition and the secretive way teachings were passed down. Early writings were recorded on fragile palm leaves that deteriorated easily over time. Although yoga can be traced back more than 5,000 years, some scholars propose it may date as far back as 10,000 years. The history of yoga can be understood in four major phases, each marked by distinct developments in practice and philosophy.
Pre-Classical Yoga
Yoga first emerged in the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation in northern India over 5,000 years ago. The earliest mention of the word “yoga” appears in the Rig Veda, the oldest of India’s sacred texts. The Vedas are a compilation of hymns, chants, and rituals intended for Brahmans, the priests of the Vedic period. As time passed, yoga was further shaped by Brahmans and mystical sages known as Rishis, who codified their practices and beliefs in a vast collection of scriptures known as the Upanishads.
Among the most revered yogic texts is the Bhagavad Gita, believed to have been composed around 500 BCE. The Upanishads transitioned the external sacrificial rituals of the Vedas into internalised practices, advocating the surrender of ego through knowledge (jnana yoga), selfless action (karma yoga), and introspective insight.
Classical Yoga
Before this period, yoga encompassed a wide range of inconsistent beliefs and methods. The Classical era brought coherence to these varied practices through the Yoga Sutras, compiled by the sage Patanjali in the second century CE. This foundational work outlined the principles of Raja Yoga, also known as classical yoga. Patanjali formulated yoga as an “eight-limbed path”, detailing a step-by-step process toward achieving spiritual realisation or samadhi. He is often considered the father of modern yoga, and his teachings remain central to contemporary yoga traditions.
Post-Classical Yoga
Centuries after Patanjali, yoga masters began developing new systems that focused on revitalising the physical body and extending life. These systems diverged from the ancient Vedic philosophies and embraced the body as a crucial vehicle for spiritual progress. This led to the development of Tantra Yoga, which introduced unconventional methods for purifying both body and mind. These practices aimed to dissolve attachments to the physical realm and reach spiritual liberation. The evolution of these body-centred approaches laid the groundwork for Hatha Yoga, the form most commonly practised in the Western world today.
Modern Period
Yoga began reaching Western audiences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A major milestone occurred in 1893 when Swami Vivekananda delivered a series of influential talks on yoga and universal spirituality at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. During the 1920s and 1930s, Hatha Yoga gained renewed popularity in India through the efforts of T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda, and others. Krishnamacharya founded the first Hatha Yoga school in Mysore in 1924, and Sivananda went on to establish the Divine Life Society on the banks of the Ganges in 1936. Sivananda also authored over 200 books and opened nine ashrams and many yoga centres globally.
Krishnamacharya trained three notable students—B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and Pattabhi Jois—who would each develop their own influential styles. Meanwhile, in 1947, Indra Devi opened a yoga studio in Hollywood, helping to popularise yoga in the West. Today, Hatha Yoga includes a wide variety of schools, each highlighting different elements of the practice.
What Is the Origin of Yoga?
The origins of yoga are so ancient that no definitive beginning can be pinpointed. According to legend, the first yogi was Shiva, who is said to have achieved enlightenment thousands of years ago on Mount Kailash. He is believed to have passed his knowledge on to seven disciples, known as the seven rishis, who are considered the progenitors of many global spiritual traditions. Though the story of Shiva remains mythological, it forms a symbolic basis for yoga's spiritual depth.
Understanding the Word “Yoga”
The term "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to yoke” or “to unite.” In ancient times, yoking referred to harnessing two animals together to perform work, such as ploughing fields. Metaphorically, yoga signifies the union of elements—mind and body, breath and movement, the ego with the higher self, or the individual with the universal. For experienced practitioners, yoga is about dissolving the illusion of separation, revealing the innate unity that already exists.
The “Bible” of Yoga: The Bhagavad Gita
Though yoga is thousands of years old, one of its most essential texts is the Bhagavad Gita, written between 400 BCE and 200 CE. This spiritual epic, set on a battlefield, presents yoga as a path to enlightenment. The dialogue between Krishna (the teacher) and Arjuna (the student) explores life, duty, and yogic wisdom, symbolising the inner battle within the human mind.
Three Paths in the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita outlines three main paths to enlightenment:
Bhakti Yoga – The path of love and devotion, in which one dedicates themselves wholly to the divine.
Jnana Yoga – The path of intellect and wisdom, pursued through study, meditation, and self-inquiry.
Karma Yoga – The path of selfless service and action, where one fulfils their life’s purpose without attachment to outcomes.
These paths reflect diverse approaches to spiritual growth, each leading to the same ultimate goal.
Raja Yoga
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, compiled between 200 BCE and 200 CE, present a comprehensive system of yoga known as Raja Yoga—the “royal path.” It emphasises meditation and mental discipline as keys to liberation. The eight-limbed path includes ethical guidelines, postures, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately, union with the self.
Tantra Yoga
Centuries after Patanjali, a group of forest-dwelling yogis developed methods to awaken spiritual energy by working with the body’s subtle systems. This was Tantra Yoga - not the sensual version popularised in the West, but a system aimed at balancing masculine and feminine energies, internal and external forces. Tantra taught that the body is sacred and should not be seen as an obstacle, but rather as a vessel for enlightenment. Concepts such as chakras, nadis (energy channels), and kundalini energy arise from this tradition.
Hatha Yoga
Due to Tantra’s physical emphasis, yogis began studying nature and animals to develop new postures. They mimicked movements such as a cat stretching or a tree standing tall, giving rise to what we now call Hatha Yoga. This physical form of yoga prepared the body for deeper meditation by making it strong and supple. It remains the most practised form of yoga in the modern world.
Yoga's Evolution
While many people practise yoga today for fitness, flexibility, or relaxation, its deeper purpose remains spiritual growth and self-realisation. Breath control and mindfulness remain central, honouring the practice’s ancient roots. By turning inward, practitioners can transcend the pressures of modern life and access states of inner peace that early yogis would deeply recognise.
Origins According to Historical Sources
Yoga’s precise origins remain debated. It may have begun in the Indus Valley Civilisation (3300–1900 BCE), or during the Vedic period (1500–500 BCE), or perhaps even earlier. Philosophical foundations began forming between 200 BCE and 500 CE within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. While archaeological interpretations vary, early Vedic texts, such as the Rig Veda, hint at meditative traditions. Practices like pranayama (breath control) and pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) appear in the Upanishads.
Influences from Buddhism and Jainism
Early yogic techniques developed alongside ascetic traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and the śramaṇa movement. The Buddha adopted and adapted many yogic practices, particularly meditation. Jainism also developed its own yogic philosophies. Some scholars argue that yoga evolved through a synthesis of these traditions, each contributing ethical and meditative practices.
Upanishads and Philosophical Sutras
Texts like the Katha Upanishad (5th–3rd century BCE) first define yoga as steady control of the senses and mind. Later texts describe structured paths, with six-fold or eight-fold systems including breath regulation, mental focus, and spiritual absorption (samadhi). Philosophical schools like Nyaya, Vedanta, and Samkhya also incorporated yogic thinking, merging rational inquiry with spiritual practice.
Yoga in the Classical Era
From 200 BCE to 500 CE, yoga systems became more formalised. Texts like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Yoga Yajnavalkya, and Buddhist works like the Visuddhimagga laid out meditation, ethics, and liberation techniques.
Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga include:
Yama (restraints)
Niyama (observances)
Asana (posture)
Pranayama (breath control)
Pratyahara (withdrawal)
Dharana (concentration)
Dhyana (meditation)
Samadhi (absorption)
Vedanta and Yoga
Yoga and Vedanta are two of Hinduism’s core philosophical systems. Yoga sees the self as distinct from ultimate reality, while Vedanta sees all beings as part of one divine consciousness. Despite differences, Vedanta often adopts yogic techniques as tools for self-realisation.
Yoga Yajnavalkya
This text, in dialogue form between Yajnavalkya and Gargi, discusses eight postures and a variety of breathing and meditation practices. It greatly influenced later yogic texts and aligns with Upanishadic teachings on the union between individual and supreme self.
Buddhist and Jain Yoga Traditions
Yogic ideas evolved through schools like Yogacara Buddhism, which focused on meditative discipline, and Jain yoga, which linked spiritual liberation with ethical conduct and restraint.
Medieval Developments and Hatha Yoga
Between 500–1500 CE, yoga diversified into various branches. Hatha Yoga emerged during this period, incorporating physical techniques, breathwork, and purification methods aimed at awakening spiritual energy.
Tantra and Bhakti Movements
Hindu Tantra introduced visualisation, chakra systems, and sacred sound (mantra). Bhakti Yoga emphasised loving devotion to a personal deity, often integrated with meditative techniques.
Yoga in Sikhism
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Sikh Gurus encountered yogic sects. Guru Nanak advocated a spiritual path rooted in devotion and inner discipline, rather than physical austerities.
Modern Revival
In the 19th century, figures like Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga philosophy to the West. Influenced by European romanticism and Indian reformers, yoga began gaining global recognition.
Yoga as Physical Exercise
What is known today as “yoga” often centres on physical postures (asanas), breathing, and sequences like Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation). This modern interpretation evolved in the 20th century, blending traditional Hatha Yoga with Western fitness methods. Influential teachers such as Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Indra Devi, and Desikachar helped shape the physical styles practised today.
Global Spread and Cultural Recognition
Yoga has grown into a global phenomenon, spawning industries in teaching, equipment, books, and wellness. In 2015, the United Nations declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga. In 2016, UNESCO recognised yoga as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Despite its modern evolution, the core of yoga remains a path to self-knowledge and inner peace, just as it was thousands of years ago.