breath of the heart
100 hour online yoga teacher training
Pranayama - Philosophy - purpose
April 15th - September 23rd 2025
100% live online via zoom, with catch up recordings
A radical and unique immersion in breath & awareness.
Open for anyone desiring to explore the transformative practices and teachings of Tantrik Yoga. This course is appropriate for both personal and professional development - those with a sincere yearning to study are welcome to join.
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Learn powerful breathwork & Pranayama
Become a Yoga leader...
Around the world, more and more people are waking up to the incredible power of the breath. This course will give you the education, tools and teaching confidence required to share pranayama breathwork - from foundational practices to dynamic kriya, you don't have to already be a Yoga Teacher.
You will learn how to confidently, respectfully, inclusively and authentically share this powerful practice, with understanding of the rich and colourful Philosophy that underpins it.
Both 100 brings focus to the embodiment & empowerment of each unique individual, ensuring that we are each part of a healing legacy, for the benefit of all.
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Be part of a Global movement
This course brings focus to honouring the true history of Yoga; challenging the hypocricies & “norms” of Yoga in the West.
We will be co-creating a brave space to explore the discomfort of Cultural Appropriation, colonialism and the toxicity of the Wellness Industry, as well as taking an honest look at our own privileges. This exploration continues toward a positive understanding of how we might be of service to Yoga at this time, focussing on integrity & responsibility within the Spiritual Path.
The intention here is not to provide answers, but to build a community anchored in kindness & compassion as we navigate deep change at the same time as continuing to share the incredible healing path of Yoga.
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Embody Yoga Philosophy
Uma’s passion for Philosophy comes alive in colourful story telling & embodiment practices, always encouraging and inviting students to explore beyond the asana.
Through Mythology, Mantra, Mudra & Meditation, Uma shares Philosophy in ways that can be integrated & embodied. Her teaching style is accessible, inclusive and joyful.
Non-dual Philosophy is explored throughout the course. Please know that your cultural background, religion, sexuality and gender identity will be respected, and, all beliefs, opinions and ideas are welcome to be expressed within the learning circles.
If you have an interest in understanding Yoga & Tantra at. a deeper level, you are so welcome here.
Lead teacher & course creator
uma neave spender
Uma brings over 20 years of experience & dedication to this path. Always sharing generously from the heart, her offerings are in service & support to all wishing to deepen their practice. Her unique approach to teaching is both deeply joyful and transformational; cultivating a welcoming & inclusive space for all.
Having studied intensively in India , Uma skilfully integrates the traditional with the modern, bringing focus to sharing with respect to the source & always honouring the roots of Yoga. She is known for her love & depth of knowledge of Tantrik Philosophy & Mythology (Shaivite & Shakta traditions), weaving stories into the embodied practices of breathwork (pranayama) and meditation - taking practitioners beyond the asana.
As an activist for Social Justice, she is passionate about sharing Yoga as a path of service & healing, and is dedicated to actively working for equity for all beings and the Earth.
Uma believes in giving people the space to expand into their truest nature; her immersions encourage deep enquiry & cultivate the space necessary for lasting, conscious change.
Uma has been training Yoga teachers since 2016, and holds ERYT 1000+ with Yoga Alliance International.
schedule
live online classes each week via zoom
10am AEST Thursday (always)
6am AEST Fridays (always)
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7pm AEST Tuesdays (some/most weeks, depending on our guest schedule)
Please note there will be a 2 week break in sessions over the July school holidays
scholarships available
For BIPOC, differently abled and otherwise marginalised folks,we are always happy to support with scholarships.
please apply for scholarship by clicking the link below.
All applications will be considered.
Please apply by the end of February
world class guest facilitators
Mei Lai Swan Trauma Informed Approaches & Social Justice
Natasha Peiris
Ayurveda & Decolonising Yoga
Nataraj Chaitanya
Tantric Tradition and belonging to lineage
Asher Packman
Meditaions on Death & an introduction to the Wim Hof method
Pavitra Gurumurthi
Compassionate Leadership & Tender Authority
Sarah Anderson
Dharma, Purpose & Vision
our tiered pricing explained
tiered Pricing
tier One
$2,490
choose 1 payment, or 6 monthly payments of $385 (after $300 deposit)
This price tier reflects the appropriate value of this certification within the Western economic market. Choosing this option is also choosing to “pay it forward” and support someone taking the Tier Three option.
GST is included
tier Two $1990
choose 1 payment, or 6 monthly payments of $300 (after $300 deposit)
This price tier reflects those on average/middle income who are slightly less than the appropriate value of this certification within the Western economic market.
GST is included
Tier Three
$1290
choose 1 payment, or 6 monthly payments of $185 (after $300 deposit)
This price tier represents those on low incomes or from marginalised/under-resourced communities and those committed to caring responsibilities. Those on Tier One are supporting this pricing tier.
GST is included
9 modules over 6 months
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module 1 - foundations
April 15-28th
Safety & Agency.
We begin by getting to know your small group, group leader & teaching partner, and cultivating a safe and nurturing space for learning, sharing & growing.
Pranayama: Foundations of Breath Mechanics & Subtle Body.
The breath is the bridge between the conscious & unconscious mind, and is the gateway to self enquiry and deepest change. In this module we will learn the mechanics of breathing , as well as transformational breathing techniques for beginners, that are safe for everyone to do.
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Module 2 - holding space
April 29th - 12th May
Trauma Informed approaches
What does it mean to hold space? What might be possible when the space is held well?
We begin to explore what it means to be a trauma informed facilitator, creating safe, inclusive & accessible spaces for all people to learn & practice breathwork.
Pranayama: Diving deep into the anatomy of breathing, we can start to study the musculoskeletal anatomy, nervous and endocrine systems, allowing our breath practices to reach deeper layers of embodied understanding.
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Module 3 - Purpose
13th - 26th May
Through the lens of Yoga, everything is deeply and inherently connected. Through Tantra we come to understand ourselves as limitless power & potential.
Turning the attention inwards, our pranayama practice is in service to deep self-study. Every thought, word and action ripples out infinitely. How do you perceive yourself? What are your values? Do your actions reflect and serve your values? Observing in the broadest vision as well as the micro details.
Pranayama: This module focusses on learning safe & correct techniques for progressively stronger pranayama, bandha (energetic locks) & sequencing.
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Module 4 - meeting fear
May 27- June 16th
The path of Tantra invites us to embrace every emotional state that arises, including fear, anger, rage, disappointment and disgust. Nothing is rejected, denied or exiled from your experience.
In this module we explore emotions as entrance points to growth; engaging with fear - navigating with curiosity, letting it lead us to know true courage.
Pranayama: As we start to heat up our breath practice, many things can come to the surface. In Tantra we use fear as an incredible tool to guide us into rich and fertile spaces for growth.
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Module 5 - Silence & finding your voice
June 17 - July 7th
What is your relationship with silence? Is it inviting? Do you have resistance to it?During this module we will explore Mauna (sacred silence) sadhana, and become curious about how we use the voice.Through mantra and sacred sound we can start to unlock the energy of the throat, moving through restriction and blockages.
Pranayama: With focus on teaching stronger Kriya, Philosophy & Subtle Body to intermediate level students, we will learn how to safely guide powerful heating practices that swiftly cleanse the energetic body.
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Module 6 - Self Authority
22nd July -4th August
This module brings focus to the subtle body anatomy, exploring your relationship with personal authority on the Spiritual Path. Preparing to stand in the strength of all we have discovered and embodied along the way, and courageously embracing imperfect leadership and tender authority.
Pranayama: Increasingly dynamic pranayama moves through energetic body blockages. Through myth, we learn to embody the Tantrik teachings at a deeper level - our resistances and tensions are invited to the surface. This is a time of break through and transformation.
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Module 7 - Social Justice & Purpose
5-18th August
Through committed practice we come to understand ourselves at a deeper level, embodying the realisation of the intrinsic connection between all beings & the Earth. We start to question our own privilege and power, as well as the the social norms & hypocrisies of the Yoga & Wellness industry in the West. Together, we sit bravely in the raw & uncomfortable truths of the History of Modern Yoga, colonialism in India, & how it matters to us as Practitioners and Teachers of Yoga.
Pranayama: We continue to learn dynamic/advanced Pranayam, as well as noticing what role the myth, Mudra and Mantra is playing in the practice.
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MOdule 8 - Taking the seat of the teacher
19th August -1st September
As this big breath journey comes to a close, we weave our learnings of History, Philosophy and Purpose together to discover what it means to truly take the seat of the Teacher. Embodying purpose and power, and bringing spiritual practice into alignment with deep service in the present modern setting, we compassionately hold the responsibility of honouring the roots of Yoga and sharing with respect.
Pranayama: During our last weeks of learning Dynamic pranayama, kriya & bandha - we are focussing on refining our teaching and preparing for our final teaching projects.
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Module 9 - final teaching projects
2nd -23rd September
Students have been working on their teaching and are invited to be as creative as they would like for thier final project - a 20 minute pranayama session to any audience of their choice. This is where the possibilities of the reach and potential of breathwork come alive, as we discover through each individual new ways to share these wonderful practices. There are no limitations!
Each student will have the opportunity to present their final project, teaching live to the group via zoom, or by submitting a video recording. Uma will provide detailed feedback & encouragement for for each student.
THis is truly accessible, powerful yoga for all people, and everyone can teach & share it…you don’t have to already be a yoga teacher. this course welcomes absolutely everyone
The focus of this course is pranayama & philosophy. be part of the movement to honour the roots of YOga, practicing & sharing yoga beyond asana.
your questions answered
please email hello@bothyoga.com with any other questions
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The following is a loose idea of the schedule. As we are working with many guest teachers there may be some small changes.
There will always be 2 or 3 classes per week, held at:
6am AEST Fridays (always)
10am AEST Thursday (always)
7pmAEST Tuesdays (some/most weeks)
You will receive the full schedule in pdf format, as well as a google calendar link one week before we begin.
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Aside from the course manual, the only required reading for the course is Breath by James Nestor.
We will offer on demand videos to watch and articles to read throughout the course. For further optional reading we recommend Light on Life, BKS Iyengar, Tantra Illuminated Christopher Hareesh Wallace and Shiva Sutras - The Supreme Awakening, translation by Swami Lakshmanjoo.
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All the live-stream workshops & learning circles will be recorded for you to watch in your own time. Those taking the course for certification will be required to be at minimum 50% sessions live in person, and to watch the recordings if they don't make the live stream.
Being there "live" will give you the opportunity to be engaged and interactive in small group breakout rooms, and is encouraged as much as possible. In order to receive certification you must keep up with your weekly video projects/tasks, be present LIVE at a minimum 50% online sessions, and, most importantly present your final 20-minute teaching in the final weeks. -
Yes! In each module there will be video projects to submit, as well as topics for discussion with your practice partner, journal prompts and personal action invitations.
In the final weeks, you will be asked to teach a 20-minute breath session with your group, applying what you have learned.
The projects will be slightly different depending on which level of certification you are attaining (Foundations level - includes all the practices explored in the Discover course or Advanced level - includes all the practices explored in Deeper & Dynamic courses).
You don’t need to be a Yoga Teacher to gain Advanced certification, however, we will ask for more projects to make sure you are feeling confident and supported with your learning.
The projects will be encouraged for all students. However only if you are taking the certification option are the projects required. There is certainly no pressure to submit anything you don't feel drawn to if you are joining for self-enquiry only. We will be encouraging non-teachers to submit short talk-to-camera videos relating to the weekly projects. -
The focus of this course is pranayama & philosophy, not asana.
In order to teach physical/movement-focused Yoga in a studio or gym, you need what is called a 'Foundations Training' (200 hour minimum). After that you can add on all kinds of other training, some are 5 hours, some 50, 100 or even 300 hours. In this way you can specialise as you like, learning with different teachers.
So, this certificate is designed as an advanced learning module for Yoga Teachers who already have a foundational training certificate.
For non-yoga teachers who want to do this course, upon completion, you will be absolutely capable and certified to teach foundations pranayama to anyone within your current work, or to create your own classes at home/community centres/online etc, some studios would absolutely consider having you teach pranayama (only). Those who wish to teach stronger/dynamic pranayama can do so with extra guidance from Uma and will be asked to submit extra video projects to ensure you are feeling supported and confident in your learning (please let us know if this is your intention).If you wanted to do the 200 hour foundations training at some stage in the future, then this would certainly add beautifully to that, and you would be considered a Yoga teacher "specialising" in pranayama & breath.
We highly recommend Yoga for Human Kind's 200-hour training with Mei Lai Swan.
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You will be paired with an appropriate (similar level of experience) partner/small group so that you can start practicing teaching with each other straight away. The amount of time you spend practicing together will be up to you, however meeting once a week is strongly encouraged so that you are as confident as possible when the course closes.
For those wishing to certify to teach dynamic pranayama, the partner sessions are more involved as this is the best place to practice teaching stronger pranayama, as well as giving/receiving feedback. It is up to each partnership how much extra time they can give here, and there are certainly no limitations.
For non-yoga teachers, this partner time will be used to practice teaching foundational pranayama and develop ideas for your projects (which don't need to be shared for non-teachers), as well as share experiences from the practices, and gain support. We will have a session in the first week about how to best hold space for each other and be supportive during these transformational processes. You & your partner are always welcome to have a check-in with Uma and the mentors to ask questions and make sure you are getting the most out of your time together.