Anatomy of Breathing in the Original Hot Yoga
Embodied anatomy study and practice
With Ann Chrapkiewicz · For Original Hot Yoga teachers and interested practitioners
Zoom study meetings: February 10, February 24, March 10, March 24, and April 14, 2027. Wednesdays, 2:00–3:30 PM Eastern.
Explore “breathing always normal, according to the posture” through anatomy, reading, and the yoga you practice and teach. A new, integrated way to connect breathing anatomy to every posture and both breathing exercises in the Original Hot Yoga class—bringing the reading, embodied exploration and words of teaching together.
What does “normal breathing” mean when the posture changes the shape of the spine and rib cage? What can we understand through reading and visualization, and what needs to be explored through our own practice and teaching?
What’s included
Zoom study meetings
Five live Zoom meetings with Ann connect the anatomy study with Original Hot Yoga practice and teaching.
Before Zoom meetings
Read, color and annotate your print book, then explore the assigned questions and practices.
Between Zoom meetings
Practice or observe four designated Original Hot Yoga classes with Ann. Take notes and bring your observations back to the group.
Livestream classes with Ann
Unlimited livestream access: February 10–April 18, 2027 ($260 value). Your access is not limited to the four designated study classes.
Focused class practice library
Six months of focused video-course access: February 10–August 10, 2027. Explore breathing-focused October 2026 recordings, including the October 28 class.
Through reading, visualization, embodied exploration, discussion and Original Hot Yoga practice, we will develop a comprehensive workbook and an OHY posture chart exploring “breathing always normal, according to the posture.”
Included in-person practice weekend
Bring the study into the hot room Thursday–Sunday, April 15–18, 2027, following our final Zoom meeting. The weekend is included in tuition; daily practice times and details will follow.
Prerequisites
- At least 20 completed Original Hot Yoga classes.
- Curiosity, interest and dedication to reading, exploring and applying the study.
- No yoga teacher training, Bikram / Original Hot Yoga teacher certification or prior anatomy course is required.
You can be relatively new to Original Hot Yoga and still join us, provided you have completed the 20 classes. You do not need to teach yoga to participate.
A deliberately small group
We plan for 6–10 participants, capped at 10, so there is room for everyone to engage.
What we will study
Session 1 — Observing the act of breathing. Initial observations, internal and external respiration, costal and diaphragmatic breathing, and respiratory-volume language.
Session 2 — The breathing skeleton and respiratory organs. The thorax and thoracic cage, rib movement, and respiratory organs, connected to practice and teaching.
Session 3 — Muscles of inspiration / inhalation. The diaphragm and its relationships, the rib cage, scapular girdle, thoracic extension, and cervical region.
Session 4 — Muscles of expiration. Chapter 4 Part Two, pages 96–105: abdominal muscles, intercostals, observation, coloring and posture-based questions.
Session 5 — Topic to be confirmed. The final topic and preparation are still being developed.
Required print book
You will need a print copy of Anatomy of Breathing by Blandine Calais-Germain to color in and take margin notes.
Local students may purchase at the Yoga Is Medicine front desk; non-local students may order directly from Eastland Press. Choose the English print edition ($24.95), not the eBook: ISBN 9780939616558. The book is purchased separately, not included in tuition.
Have it in hand ideally by January 27, 2027, and definitely no later than February 3. Arrange delivery early enough to complete the reading and coloring assignment before Meeting #1.
Tuition & course hours
$575 early bird — full payment by December 10, 2026.
$635 regular — registration and payment by January 10, 2027. All dates are Eastern.
Tuition includes the Zoom study, four designated class-study units, April 15–18 practice weekend, unlimited livestream access February 10–April 18 ($260 value), six months of focused video courses, February 10–August 10, and our course-built workbook and OHY posture chart. The print book is separate.
| Learning component | Hours |
|---|---|
| Five Zoom anatomy-study meetings | 7.5 |
| Four designated class-study units: practice or observation | 6 |
| Proposed OHYA contact-hour total | 13.5 |
| Reading, coloring and homework | About 13 |
Preparation: about 3 hours before Meeting #1, then 2.5 hours before each remaining meeting. Allow approximately 26.5 hours of study and preparation, plus the included practice weekend; its daily schedule is still being finalized.
Original Hot Yoga Association continuing education: the contact-hour allocation above is subject to association approval and confirmation of eligible practice/observation pathways. Preparation, extra practice, library use and weekend hours do not automatically add credited hours.
Enrollment, cancellation, completion and Zoom-recording/replay terms will be confirmed before registration opens. This is educational study, not individualized medical advice or treatment.
Interested in joining us?
Share your interest below and we will be in touch. This form does not register you or take payment.