"When the breath wanders, the mind is unsteady.
When the breath is still, so is the mind."
Precise techniques for measurable results. Energy, focus, and nervous system regulation.
Annamaria Pinna is a certified Pranayama Level I and II teacher offering private and group classes in NYC and online. If you are looking for pranayama classes in New York City, here is what you need to know about the practice first.
Pranayama is the fourth limb of the eight-limb path outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, and it is often translated as "breath control," though that translation undersells it. The Sanskrit root carries a dual meaning: prana (life force, vital energy) paired with ayama (extension, expansion), and prana paired with yama (restraint, control). Both readings are valid, and together they capture the full scope of the practice: to extend what the breath carries, and to master it.
In yogic physiology, prana moves through channels in the subtle body called nadis. Breath is the most accessible vehicle for working with prana directly. Specific breathing techniques: retention, ratio, rhythm, nostril alternation, regulate the flow of prana through these channels, clearing blockages and redirecting energy. The effects are measurable and cumulative: the heart rate variability improves and the nervous system recalibrates. The ancient texts knew this without the neuroscience to name it. The neuroscience now confirms what the rishis mapped thousands of years ago.
Pranayama is the bridge between the physical practices of asana and the interior practices of meditation. It is where the body and the mind meet before they let each other go.
Private pranayama sessions with me are structured and unhurried. There is no performance required of you, and no experience necessary.
We begin with a brief intake. Before we touch the breath, I want to understand what is happening in your body and nervous system that day, what you are carrying, where you are tight, where your energy is scattered or flat. This shapes everything that follows.
The practice itself is sequenced deliberately. Depending on where you are, we might open with Dirga Pranayama (the three part breath) to establish the foundation, move into Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to balance the hemispheres and calm the mind, and work toward Kapalabhati or Bhramari depending on what your system needs. I follow the lineage. I am certified to teach Pranayama Level I and II, trained by Robert Moses, Eddie Stern, and Harshvardhan Jhaveri, rooted in classical Hatha Yoga.
We close with a period of stillness. This is where the work integrates. Many clients notice more in those final minutes than at any other point.
You may feel emotional. You may feel nothing. You may feel like you have slept eight hours in forty-five minutes. All of it is normal. The breath has been doing this since before you were born; we are simply learning to work with it rather than around it.
I also teach a weekly group class, Breathing into Balance: Pranayama Level I, at SOUK Yoga Studio in Manhattan on Tuesday evenings at 8pm, in-person and online.
Pranayama is not a passive practice. Watching it taught makes clear what reading about it cannot; the quality of attention required, the precision of the technique, and the stillness that surrounds the breath.
Annamaria's teaching approach is direct and anatomically specific. Each technique is explained, demonstrated, and practiced. The difference is felt immediately.
Add a Reiki Savasana to any in-person session +$25
Questions before booking? hello@electricsutra.com
This 90-minute class offers a thoughtful blend of conversation, technique, and guided breathwork. We begin by exploring your needs and intentions, creating a space of trust and clarity, then move into foundational pranayama practice designed to build a steady, sustainable technique.
A full breathwork class in New York City. Each class length is tailored to your schedule and needs — all classes include instruction, guided practice, and closing integration time.
Distance breathwork is an alternative for those who cannot travel or prefer to practice from home. Classes are conducted live via video conference with the same anatomical precision and guidance.
4-class packages save 12%, and 10-class packages save 20% off the single-class rate. In-person and virtual packages are priced separately. 4-packs expire within 3 months of purchase, 10-packs within 7 months. All package purchases are non-refundable.
A 75-minute class that pairs breathwork with guided meditation: pranayama to steady the nervous system, then a seated practice to settle the mind. One continuous arc from breath to stillness. Offered in-person in NYC or online.
A limited number of reduced-rate spots are available each month for those who need accessible pricing: 3 in-person and 3 online, shared across pranayama, yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Applies to 60-minute sessions only. Current recipients get first right of renewal; open spots go to new applicants.
What is pranayama, and what is it for?
Pranayama is the yogic practice of working with the breath through specific techniques of rhythm, ratio, retention, and nostril alternation. Rather than a single exercise, it's a system for regulating the nervous system, steadying attention, and moving energy through the body. People come to it for focus, calm, better sleep, and a steadier baseline in daily life.
Do I need yoga or breathwork experience to start?
None at all. Sessions begin wherever you are, and the foundational techniques are accessible on day one. If you've never done anything with your breath beyond breathing, you're in exactly the right place. Experienced practitioners are met at their level too.
What's the difference between a private class and the group class?
Private classes are tailored entirely to you, your nervous system that day, your goals, and the pace that suits you. The weekly group class, Breathing into Balance: Pranayama Level I, meets Tuesday evenings at 8pm at SOUK Yoga Studio in Manhattan and online, and offers a shared, guided practice in a set sequence. Many people do both.
How much do pranayama classes in NYC cost?
Private in-person classes range from $155 to $205 depending on length; online classes from $100 to $150. A limited number of reduced-rate community spots are offered each month for those who need accessible pricing. Full pricing is listed in the classes above.
Does online pranayama work as well as in-person?
Yes. Because pranayama is verbal, anatomical instruction rather than hands-on work, it translates cleanly to video. Online classes are held live with the same precision and guidance, and you get the added benefit of practicing in your own space. Many clients work entirely online.
How often should I practice?
The effects are cumulative, so consistency matters more than intensity. Many people start with a weekly class and a short daily home practice built from what they've learned. Even a few minutes a day compounds over time, which is why package options are available for those building a steady rhythm.
Pranayama sits naturally alongside movement and stillness. You're welcome to explore yoga and meditation as part of a fuller practice.