Breath Control Foundations

Master the fundamentals of pranayama to enhance energy, calm the mind, and improve overall health. Learn how to breathe efficiently for strength, mobility, and longevity.

What You’ll Learn?

  • Reconnect with natural breathing - the foundation of all breathwork and pranayama—so your breath becomes effortless, quiet, and deeply nourishing.

  • Master five essential breath control techniques that train your body to optimize oxygen intake, improve lung function, and enhance relaxation.

  • Develop a structured step-by-step approach to breathwork, gradually advancing at your own pace for long-term progress.

  • Learn how to balance your nervous system through controlled inhalation, exhalation, and breath retention techniques.

  • Experience how breath control can support meditation, energy levels, and mental clarity, leading to a calmer and more focused mind.

This is not just another breathwork course—it’s the missing link that prepares you for true pranayama and breath mastery.

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Who Is This Course For


This course is designed for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in breath control—whether you're new to breathwork or struggling to progress in your pranayama practice. Instead of focusing on advanced or complex techniques, this course breaks breathing down to its essential elements, helping you retrain your breath for greater energy, calmness, and control.

It’s ideal for:

  • Anyone who feels stuck in their pranayama practice and needs to refine the basics before progressing to more advanced techniques.

  • People looking to improve their breath retention (holding time) in a safe, structured way.

  • Yoga practitioners, fitness enhtusiasts, martial artist, dancers, and athletes who want to optimize their breathing for better performance, flexibility, and endurance.

  • Anyone struggling with low energy, anxiety, poor digestion, or irregular breathing patterns who wants to restore balance through natural breath control.

  • Beginners to advanced practitioners seeking a step-by-step approach to breathing, focusing on inhalation, retention, exhalation, and breath suspension.

SIMON EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF BREATHING LESS THAN NORMAL - THE ESSENTIAL PRANAYAMA TEACHING

"This is the pranayama knowledge I wish I had when I started my yoga journey. Like many, I jumped into advanced techniques, chasing the highs of breathwork, only to realize that without a solid foundation, the real benefits never came.

his course completely transformed my understanding of breath control. Learning to slow my breath to one breath per minute was a revelation, and my athletic performance skyrocketed.

I can’t recommend this course enough - whether you’re new to pranayama or think you already know it all, this will change the way you breathe."

- David, 28 / Yoga Teacher from Slovenia

Why This Course Works

The Common Problem:

Many people struggle with breathwork and pranayama because they lack a proper foundation. They jump into advanced techniques—only to find they can’t progress, feel lightheaded, or get stuck in patterns of shallow or inefficient breathing. Without mastering the basics of controlled inhalation, exhalation, and breath retention, advanced breathwork becomes ineffective and even counterproductive.

The Solution:

This course teaches you the essential building blocks of effective breath control. By focusing on simple yet powerful breathing exercises, you’ll train your diaphragm, improve oxygen absorption, and build CO₂ tolerance—allowing you to breathe more efficiently and unlock the true benefits of pranayama.

You'll Learn How To:

  • Re-establish natural breathing and correct dysfunctional patterns.

  • Train your inhale, exhale, and breath retention to increase lung capacity.

  • Improve oxygen delivery to your cells for more energy and endurance.

  • Use breathwork to calm the nervous system and reduce stress & anxiety.

  • Enhance digestion, circulation, and mental clarity through controlled breathing.

  • Develop the ability to slow your breath to one breath per minute, a key milestone in advanced pranayama.

What’s Inside the Course?

45-Minute Detailed Lecture

Gain a deep understanding of the physiology of breathing and how the specific exercises will benefit your health and energy. This lecture will clearly explain how breathing less—rather than more—can have profound effects on your physical and mental well-being.

15 Short Practice Videos

Practice with 15 video lessons ranging from 15 to 27 minutes each, focusing on the four key breath-control exercises. These videos will guide you through each technique, ensuring you build a strong foundation with clear instruction and practical tips.


Explanatory Text & Additional Resources

Complement your learning with text-based explanations and extra resources that clarify the principles behind the exercises. Dive deeper into the science of breath and its relationship to energy, stress relief, and overall health.

Why This Simple Breath Control Approach Works

Most breathwork and pranayama practices skip the most important step—building a proper foundation. Many people unknowingly breathe in ways that create tension and reduce oxygen flow, such as:
Chest breathing instead of using the diaphragm.

Over-breathing (hyperventilation), which overstimulates the nervous system.

Locking the core and restricting the diaphragm, common in many modern yoga and fitness practices.

These habits may offer a temporary "high" or increase flexibility, but they often lead to lower energy, anxiety, and poor oxygen delivery to the cells.

In contrast, Simon’s method teaches you how to use your breath to generate real, sustainable energy. By focusing on diaphragmatic breathing and carbon dioxide retention, this approach allows your body to:

✅ Expand blood vessels (vasodilation) to bring more oxygen to the brain and heart.

✅ Open bronchial tubes (bronchodilation) to increase lung efficiency.

✅ Increase oxygen uptake into your cells, giving you up to 18x more energy.

✅ Calm the nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety.

Improve digestion, circulation, and immune function.

Naturally reduce food cravings and even help people quit smoking.


When you can slow your breathing down to one breath per minute, your body enters a deeply energized, meditative state. This course will teach you how to do that, step by step.

From Simon: The Truth About Breathing & Energy

"Many modern breathwork practices focus on over-breathing—deep, forced inhalations that actually reduce oxygen flow to the brain and cells. The truth is, breathing less (in a controlled way) increases energy far more than breathing more. The key is carbon dioxide retention, which signals red blood cells to release oxygen into your tissues. If you’re constantly over-breathing, you’re never allowing your body to fully utilize the oxygen you take in.

In this course, I teach you a different approach. You’ll learn four simple breathing exercises that gently train your system to take in just enough air while building up CO₂ levels. As a result, you’ll feel calmer, more focused, and more energized—all without forcing anything. Many people find that within weeks, they can comfortably take just one breath per minute, which brings profound benefits to both body and mind."

What other people are saying...

"I am so thankful for Simon's Introduction to Breath Control course; after practising pranayama on my own for a few months, this course has radically transformed my practice in just the first week of the course! Simon has taught me both how to deeply relax my body consciously in a short space of time, and the power of doing so in terms of working with my breath (and life!). His tips to extend the inhalation, retentions & exhalation have had a really noticeable positive impact on my practice already; and I have discovered a peace in my mind that has been elusive to me but for tiny periods of time on meditation retreats. It is amazing to feel myself barely breathing at the end of a session, and how that is sustained for some time after each session."

Jo, 50, New Zealand

"What is great about Simon Borg-Olivier and how he teaches is that he is always clear and precise about what to do in a posture to suit most practitioners’ needs without making them do anything that can potentially be dangerous. But he is also clear and precise when it comes to tailoring asanas to your own individual needs."

Donald, 43, Adelaide, hatha yoga teacher

"It feels like all my yoga studies before were just some fumbling around in funny postures whose essence I didn’t have the slightest clue of. Simon always encourages you to listen to your body’s real needs, and be sensible about pushing your limits. Not many teachers can make you practice yoga in a way which challenges you, but keeps you in the safe lane as well."

Eddy, 35, Perth, ashtanga teacher

Build a strong foundation for pranayama and breath mastery

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Watch a Free Lecture About the Effects of Prolonged Sitting on Breathing!

Meet Simon Borg-Olivier

Simon Borg-Olivier is a physiotherapist, certified yoga therapist, and co-creator of YogaSynergy. With over 40 years of teaching experience, Simon has guided thousands worldwide to improve their health, movement, and breathing through a unique fusion of traditional wisdom and modern science.

Read More About Simon

Simon Borg-Olivier, MSc BAppSc (Physiotherapy) APAM c-IAYT, has been practicing traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing, and mental control for 50 years. He has been teaching for 40 years and has been a registered physiotherapist for 25 years.

Simon works as a research scientist and a University lecturer. He has been regularly invited to teach about lifestyle, posture, movement, breathing, and meditation at conferences, festivals, and intensive teacher training courses internationally since 1990.

He is also co-director of YogaSynergy, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected yoga schools, which has a style based on a deep understanding of modern medical science and traditional forms of exercise and therapy from all over the world.

Simon has studied with great traditional masters from Tibet, Japan, India, and China. Along with his business partner and fellow physiotherapist, Bianca Machliss, Simon has co-authored many books and scientific articles including ‘Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga’, which is the textbook for two courses they teach at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.

Currently, Simon conducts intensive training courses in India, Bali, Europe, and Australia. He also teaches many online courses on the applications of posture, movement, and breathing for fitness, internal health, wellbeing, and longevity.

Enrollment Details

  • Course Duration: Self-paced with lifetime access—study at your own speed and revisit lessons anytime.

  • Total Video Content: 5+ hours, including a lecture and guided breath control practices.

  • Course Materials: text explanations of the course material.

  • Access: The course is hosted on our HHL (Health, Happiness & Longevity) Platform. After enrollment, you’ll need to create a free user profile to access all course materials.

  • Pricing: One-time payment ($89 USD) with no recurring fees.

FAQ

Will I benefit from this course if I already practice pranayama?

Even experienced pranayama practitioners can benefit from this course. While pranayama usually focuses on more advanced techniques, this course is designed to build a strong foundation by teaching you the fundamental principles of breath control. Many practitioners skip over these basics, but learning to properly manage the rhythm, hold, and depth of your breath can elevate your practice and enhance the benefits of advanced techniques.

How does this course differentiate from other pranayama content?

Unlike most pranayama practices, which often encourage "more" breathing, this course emphasizes the power of breathing less. By focusing on building up carbon dioxide and breathing into your diaphragm, you’ll unlock the full potential of your breath and body. This approach helps you enhance oxygen delivery to your cells and calm your nervous system, making it ideal for those looking to improve their energy, mental clarity, and overall health.

Will I notice immediate benefits?

You may start noticing immediate improvements in your energy levels, mental clarity, and relaxation after just a few sessions. Consistent practice, however, is key to experiencing long-term benefits like reduced stress, better posture, and improved athletic performance.

How long does it take to finish the course?

This course is designed to be completed in 13 weeks, but you can take as much or as little time as you need. You can progress at your own pace, and you have lifetime access to the materials, so feel free to revisit the lessons whenever you need to refresh your practice.

What if I don’t feel comfortable with the breathing exercises?

It’s important to listen to your body and go at your own pace. If you feel uncomfortable during the exercises, simply return to natural breathing or take a break. This course encourages gentle practice, and the goal is never to force your breath. If needed, revisit the videos or text to reinforce your understanding.

How can this course help with stress and anxiety?

Breath control is a powerful tool for activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. By focusing on controlled, deep breathing, you’ll be able to lower your heart rate and clear your mind, helping you feel more calm and centered.

Is this course suitable for people with respiratory conditions?

While the course is gentle and focuses on building breath awareness, it's always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new practice, especially if you have respiratory issues. The techniques taught are safe for most people, but it's important to ensure they're appropriate for your specific health needs.

Do I have lifetime access to the course?

Yes! This course includes lifetime access, so you can revisit the material as many times as you like.

Can I download the course materials?

The platform does not currently offer a video download option, but if you need to download the sessions for any reason, just reach out to us, and we’ll send you the videos. Even without downloading, you’ll have lifetime access to all course materials through the HHL Community platform.

Can I access the course on mobile and tablet?

Yes! The course is accessible on desktop, mobile, and tablet, so you can practice anywhere, anytime.

Is there a refund policy?

Yes! We offer a full money-back guarantee within the first 14 days if you're not satisfied. This applies only if you have watched no more than three videos.

Why am I being redirected to another website for payment?

This course is hosted on Simon's official community platform, Health, Happiness & Longevity (HHL). When you click to purchase, you'll be redirected to healthhappinesslongevity.co, where you’ll securely complete your payment and access the course.

Still have questions?


Feel free to contact us, and we'll help you decide if this online course aligns with your goals.

Transform your practice with powerful, simple breathwork techniques

You will be redirected to the new members site on Circle healthhappinesslongevity.co for payment.

Want to Explore More?

If you’re looking for a different approach, Simon offers a variety of online programs covering yoga, breathwork, movement, and therapy-based practices. Explore all online courses.

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