Dru Breath and Pranayama Coach Training
The way we breathe shapes the way we live.
A seven week online training exploring breathwork, nervous system regulation, prana and pranayama. Work with the breath as a powerful tool for transformation, deepen your own practice, and gain the skills and certification to guide others.
19 September to 4 November 2026 · Online · Live sessions and self study
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Many people first meet the breath as a way to change state.
A longer exhale can settle the nerves. A stronger breath can bring energy. A few steady rounds can help before something hard. Whether the need is calm, focus, steadiness or renewed energy, the breath is one of the most direct levers on the nervous system we can consciously work with.
But changing state is only the first step.
Used with more skill, the breath begins to change how you respond to life: calmer under pressure, clearer in the mind, steadier in your emotions and more patient with yourself and other people.
In yoga, this deeper work is explored through prana and pranayama, where breath becomes a way of working with energy, awareness and the subtle body. Over time, this can support physical wellbeing, emotional balance, vitality and a quieter mind, creating stronger foundations for meditation and deeper practice.
That raises an important question.
What is the difference between breath, prana and pranayama?
Many practitioners use these words almost interchangeably, yet in yogic practice they point to different layers of experience. You learn to recognise those layers clearly and develop the discernment to know when you are working with breath, prana or pranayama, and how to guide each safely and skilfully.
This training takes you through that progression step by step: from the visible, physical breath and its effect on the nervous system, into pranayama as a refined way of working with prana and the subtle body.
What you'll learn
Over seven weeks, you'll move through a clear progression, developing your own practice while learning how to guide others safely and confidently.
- Understand healthy breathing physiology and how breathing patterns influence the nervous system, energy and emotional state.
- Learn practical techniques to support calm, focus, resilience, sleep, vitality and everyday wellbeing.
- Explore the difference between breath, prana and pranayama and learn to recognise when you are working with each.
- Study the prana vayus, nadis, marma points and selected Ayurvedic principles as practical frameworks for understanding the subtle body.
- Learn to observe breathing patterns, assess a person's state and choose practices suited to their needs and capacity.
- Practise sequencing and adapting breath and pranayama techniques for one-to-one sessions and group teaching.
- Understand cautions, contraindications, when a practice should be modified and when it is better not to proceed.
- Develop clear structures for coaching sessions, guided practices and workshops, supported by practical teaching resources.
- Deepen your own relationship with breath, prana and meditation through regular guided practice and reflection.
Prana is specific, subtle and workable
Prana is something specific and workable: the life force that animates the breath and shapes energy, emotion, attention and inner steadiness.
As the course progresses, you are introduced to selected yogic and Ayurvedic principles, including the prana vayus, nadis and marma points. These give you practical ways to understand how the subtle body is worked with in practice.
Through practice, these teachings become less theoretical and more alive. You begin to recognise them directly: in the movement of your breath, the quality of your energy, and the changing state of your body and mind.
Gradually, you begin to work less with the mechanics of breathing and more with prana itself. The practice becomes more precise and more directed. This is where many people begin to notice emotions settling, energy lifting, awareness sharpening, and the mind becoming steady enough to enter meditation more naturally and more deeply.
It is also where the slower, deeper change takes root: a steadier centre that holds through the ups and downs of life. You learn to choose practices with greater intention in your own practice, and then bring that same discernment to the people you guide, sensing whether the moment calls for grounding, energising, cooling, clearing, balancing, settling or a finer adjustment of energy and awareness.
From personal practice to skilful guidance
Skilful guidance begins with practice.
You learn what each breath or pranayama practice is for, who it suits, when to use it, and when to hold back. You study the physiology of healthy breathing and the yogic framework of prana side by side, so your coaching becomes both grounded and sensitive.
As your own practice deepens, your sensitivity to prana begins to develop. You start to notice more: how breath changes energy, how the body responds, where someone may need steadiness, space, warmth, grounding or rest.
This sensitivity becomes part of how you guide. Alongside clear observation and practical coaching skills, you learn to listen inwardly, read the person in front of you more carefully, and choose practices with greater trust, precision and care.
The emphasis is always on the whole person, not just the technique. You learn to guide from knowledge, from practice, and from the growing intelligence of prana within your own system.
This certification teaches the whole arc. It changes you through the practice, and it trains you to coach others through the same change.
What you'll leave with
By the end, the progression from breath to prana to pranayama will no longer be theoretical. You will have practised it, experienced it, reflected on it and learnt how to begin guiding others through it.
You leave with a deeper personal practice and a clearer coaching toolkit: the sensitivity to recognise what is happening, the discernment to choose well and the confidence to guide with care.
In yourself
- A more responsive nervous system: able to settle when overactive, lift when energy is low, and return more easily to balance
- A greater capacity to relax deeply, sleep more readily, focus with more ease, and feel steadily energised
- Emotions that settle and harmonise, with more steadiness, vitality and inner space
- A steadier centre through change, and the quiet shift many practitioners describe: more patience, more kindness, less reactivity
- A deepening personal practice, with the breath as genuine preparation for meditation and a growing sense of self-mastery
As a coach
- The ability to read the person in front of you: their breath, energy, state, capacity and needs
- The skill to choose, sequence and adapt breath and pranayama practices with clear intention
- The discernment to know when to energise, settle, ground, balance or create space
- The judgement to guide safely, including cautions, contraindications and when not to push
- The confidence to coach one-to-one, lead groups and hold a clear, well-structured practice
- A Dru certification carrying 35 CPD points, earned to Dru's standards
Introducing the teacher
André Hartwich
Teacher Trainer in Yoga, Pranayama & Breathwork, Yoga Nidra and Meditation
André is a teacher trainer in yoga, pranayama and breathwork, yoga nidra and meditation. He has been practising and teaching since 1999, developing a deep understanding of the relationship between breath, body and mind, and how these practices can cultivate greater awareness, steadiness and lasting change.
His teaching is clear, accessible and grounded, drawing on a wide range of pranayama and breathwork methods. His calm presence puts people at ease, while his ability to make complex ideas simple supports both beginners and experienced practitioners.
Alongside his teaching, André has spent years coaching leaders and teams in high-pressure environments, exploring the same central question: how can we remain steady, clear and deliberate when life becomes demanding?
How the seven weeks unfold
For the first time, we've brought together our much-loved Breath Coach and Pranayama trainings into one seamless pathway, creating a complete journey through the art and science of the breath.
The seven weeks move through a clear progression: from the visible, physical breath and its effect on the nervous system, into pranayama as a refined way of working with prana and the subtle body.
Phase 1 · Ground yourself in the physical breath · Days 1 to 11
You begin where the body begins: how we actually breathe, how breathing patterns shape how we feel, and how skilful breath practices can support regulation, energy, sleep and focus.
This phase is practical from the start. Early on, you begin guiding simple, well-founded breathing practices that people can feel and use in daily life. You experience the practices in your own system, understand why they work, and begin coaching others with clarity and confidence.
Phase 2 · Integrate what you know, and teach it back · Days 12 to 18
This is a quieter, consolidating week. You take your first quiz and submit three short teaching videos: one energising, one balancing and one relaxing.
This is your first certification checkpoint, where the material begins to become your own. You move from learning the practices to guiding them in your own voice.
Phase 3 · Enter the deeper work of prana · Days 19 to 47
This phase takes you into the more refined work of prana and pranayama.
As your sensitivity to prana develops, the practice becomes more precise and more directed. You begin to notice how different practices affect energy, emotion, digestion, relaxation, concentration and inner steadiness.
You learn to work with the prana vayus and to choose practices with growing discernment, whether someone needs grounding, cooling, clearing, balancing, settling or preparation for meditation.
Teachings on the subtle body, nadis, marma points and relevant Ayurvedic principles support the work throughout. They help you understand what you are observing, refine how you practise, and guide others with greater care, adaptability and safety.
This is where breath coaching opens into pranayama, and where stillness, sensitivity and self-mastery begin to be built.
Who this is for
No prior expertise in pranayama is required. What matters is sincere interest, a willingness to observe your own experience honestly, and genuine care for the people you guide.
It is a strong fit for:
Yoga and meditation teachers ready to teach breathwork and pranayama with more depth
Breathwork practitioners who sense there is more beneath the techniques
Coaches, therapists and health professionals who want to add the power of the breath to their work
Wellbeing, Ayurveda and movement teachers extending their range
Anyone drawn to the subtle side of the breath who wants to deepen their own practice and meditation, whether or not they teach yet
Previous Dru Breath Coach Level 1 graduates completing the new integrated certification
How it works
The training is online, with a blend of live teaching, guided daily practice, self-study and supported teaching practice.
- Live Zoom sessions in each phase, recorded so you can catch up if you miss one
- Daily guided practices on the Dru Studio, through the app or your browser
- Teaching practice in small Zoom breakout rooms, where you coach and are coached
- A reflection journal to track what you notice in yourself and others
- A Telegram community alongside you for the full seven weeks
- Lectures, handouts and quizzes on our learning platform
How to get certified
Certification is earned, which is what makes it worth holding. This is a real practice immersion, so it asks for steady engagement.
To certify you complete and pass:
- Two quizzes
- Three teaching videos, submitted during the integration window which will be assessed by our team
- A reflection journal
Ready to train properly, practise deeply and guide others with confidence?
Enrol NowWhat graduates say
"It's an extremely well taught and well supported course. Andre has a wealth of knowledge and guides the group with real expertise. The balance between being supported and challenged is spot on and I feel empowered to take the journey further and to make breath work part of my offering."
"There is no question about it - this is one of the best courses I have ever done with Dru, not only from a personal needs perspective but for helping others."
"This is one of the best and most informative courses I have done. Andre and the Dru team have been extremely supportive and helpful. From start to finish this course has been very well organised and presented. The content of the course material is comprehensive, straightforward and well thought out. I can highly recommend this enjoyable and informative course."
"If you want to dive deeper into breath work at a pranic level this course has it all. I learned so much more about practices I thought I knew well and learned so many more practices to support my well-being. Thank you."
"A guided experiential journey into the depth and potencies of pranayama, from cleansing shat kriyas, through pranic preparations, moving from the physical realm of the breath to experiencing the potencies of the subtle flow of ancient pranayama practices. With an introduction to Ayurvedic understandings of how to work with the practices to bring balanced wellbeing and harmony to each layer of your being. Excellent program with layers of resources from instructional videos of each practice to encapsulating the theoretical teachings in a cleverly scripted story following a guru/disciple relationship. A unique course with multiple benefits, laying a firm foundation for an ongoing personal practice to integrate the wisdom in one's daily life."
"I found it personally very beneficial for my own health and personal practice, even if you don't want to practice as a breath coach."
"The Dru Breath Coach has everything that you need to experience, understand and honour in the beautiful process of pranayama. André is a very skilled, experienced and true teacher of the work and has provided a truly inspiring manual to further deepen the practises and offer explanation in a delightful way! The course far exceeded any expectations I may have had and was super informative and detailed in every way."
"The Dru Breath Course increased my energy levels and stamina and has inspired me to teach Breath Work workshops."
"This is a lovely course, packed with clear, well designed content, giving you the tools and skills to understand, design and adapt a pranayama practice which is right for you in any given situation."
"The Dru Breathwork Coach course is an excellent course for anyone. As a yoga instructor, I would highly recommend this for its detailed, explanatory and practical content. It is professionally presented with excellent support."
"If you're interested in doing this course, do it! Yes, it's full on and packed with fantastic information. André is an amazing teacher. It's just fantastic, but give it your all and it will be worth it."
"The Dru Breath Coaching Course is one of the most thorough and professional courses I have ever completed. I feel well equipped to offer breath coaching workshops and private consultations. On a personal level, the course has reignited my interest in prana and the power of breath awareness."
"Definitely a great course. I love that we can do it at our own pace and have access via the Dru Hub."
"The Dru Breath Coach Course was a fantastic experience! The content is pitched at the right level and presented in a way that aids learning and understanding. Daily breathing practices help build a personal practice, and daily Zoom sessions for recap of techniques and teaching practice are really enjoyable. Andre is an excellent teacher and I would not hesitate to recommend the course. Thank you to the whole team for a brilliant course!"
Fees
Early bird pricing available until 19 August 2026Not sure which tier is yours, or whether the course is right for you? Write to [email protected] and we will help you work it out.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need previous breathwork experience?
No prior expertise in pranayama is required. The course begins with everyday, healthy breathing and builds from there. Sincere interest, steady practice and a willingness to observe your own experience matter more than how much you already know.
Is pranayama too esoteric?
Pranayama is subtle, but it is not vague. In this training, it is taught alongside the physiology of healthy breathing, so you learn through practice, observation and direct experience. The distinction between breath, prana and pranayama is explored in detail during the course, helping you understand how physical breathwork opens into work with prana and the subtle body.
What will I actually be able to do as a coach?
You will learn to read the person in front of you: their breath, energy, state, capacity and needs. You will practise choosing, sequencing and adapting breath and pranayama practices with clear intention, while learning the cautions, contraindications and when not to push. You will also practise guiding one-to-one and in groups, so your confidence develops through experience, not only theory.
How much time will I need each week?
This is a reasonably intensive seven-week immersion, and it is designed to ask for commitment.
The first 11 days are the most structured, with live teaching, daily practice and focused learning. During this phase, allow around 60 to 90 minutes a day. The following integration week also asks for focused engagement, as this is when you complete your first certification step and submit three short teaching videos.
After that, the rhythm becomes more spacious. You continue with daily practices, while moving through the course content with more flexibility and at your own pace. For the rest of the course, plan for roughly 45 to 75 minutes a day.
You do not need to clear your life for seven weeks, but you do need to stay connected to the training. It works best when you treat it as a real practice immersion, not something you only dip into at weekends.
Will this qualify me to treat health conditions?
No. Breath and pranayama practices support general wellbeing and are not a substitute for medical care. You are trained to guide practices, not to diagnose, prescribe or treat medical conditions.
Is it live or self-paced?
Both. The training is online, with live Zoom sessions in each phase, recorded so you can catch up if you miss one. Daily guided practices, lectures, handouts and quizzes sit on the platform for you to work through in your own time.
I completed Dru Breath Coach Level 1. Is this the next step?
Yes. The new certification brings together what was previously taught across Level 1 and Level 2 into one integrated pathway. If you have already completed Level 1, the first phase will be familiar and can serve as a valuable refresh, while the later phases take you into prana, pranayama and the subtle body.
Previous Level 1 students have a reduced price for this training to reflect the work they have already completed. If this applies to you, we will be in touch by email directly with your personal pricing.
Will I be able to teach afterwards?
Yes, once you have met the certification requirements. You practise guiding others throughout the course, including in breakout rooms and through your assessed teaching videos, so you finish having already guided practices and received structured feedback.
Enrol in the 2026 certification
Seven weeks online. A clear path from healthy breathing and nervous system regulation into pranayama, prana and the subtle body.
You will leave with a deeper personal practice, a clearer understanding of breath, prana and pranayama, and the skill to guide others with confidence, care and discernment.
Most people spend a lifetime breathing without discovering how deeply the breath can shape energy, awareness and inner steadiness. This training is an invitation to discover that for yourself, and to learn how to guide others with skill.
Enrol NowQuestions? Write to us at [email protected]
Breath and pranayama practices support general wellbeing and are not a substitute for medical treatment or professional healthcare.
