Venue Requirements

If you plan to hold regular classes, you will need a venue to do so! Do research in your local area and find any studios, halls, or leisure centres that could work for your needs.

When searching for a venue, check what they do and don’t provide. Here are some points to consider:

• Do they provide Yoga mats, blocks, and cushions?
• Do they have a sound system you can use and microphones should you need them?
• Does the space have good ventilation? Can you adjust the room accordingly to make sure it is a comfortable temperature for your class?
• Does the venue provide drinking water or will your participants need to bring their own?
• Does the venue have a maximum capacity? Will you be able to facilitate your ideal class size there?
• Are there power outlets in the room and are they in suitable locations around the room?
• Is it clean? Is the quality of the venue to your standards? Would you be happy and proud to hold regular SOMA Awakening classes there?

You can ask the venue owners if you are allowed to do a trial set up when the space is available so that you can familiarise yourself with the place and any equipment. This is important even if you are bringing all of your own equipment: preparation is the key to success.

Equipment You May Need

• High quality speakers (portable, bluetooth or otherwise) or a good quality venue sound system.
• A device you can use to send music to the bluetooth speakers.
• A cable to connect your device to the speakers or venue sound system.
• Microphone (hands free would probably be best). You can’t use microphones with a portable bluetooth setup. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the studio’s microphones if they are provided.
• Cushions, yoga mats (you can ask people to bring their own too).

Pre Class Registration

You will need to think about how you manage the participants before they arrive, to save you time on the day. If you have your own website, you can direct people to sign up for your class there. If you are using Facebook you could provide a link to the sign up page on your website.

Remember, people who have not registered may arrive on the day, so you will need to be prepared for them as well.

Waivers

You should use the waiver form provided by SOMA Breath. People can download it and bring to their first class, or you can provide the waiver online.

Make sure you always have some with you for people who turn up on the day.

Participant Requirements

When you advertise your class, you may want to communicate to participants how they can have a more comfortable experience by including the following information.

Comfort

All breathwork techniques should be done on an empty stomach. Advise participants not to eat any big meals at least 2 hours before class. Hydrating with water is fine (and advised). Participants should bring water with them if your venue does not provide drinking water. Participants should use the restrooms beforehand to ensure their comfort.

For their personal comfort, loose and comfortable clothing is advised. Perhaps they will want to bring layers in case they get too warm or cool during the class.

You may also advise people to bring their own yoga mat and/or cushions (especially if you can only provide a few). Some people may choose to bring an eye mask if they want an even deeper experience.

Safety

Are participants comfortable? Will they hurt themselves if they fall backwards or forwards? Of course, don’t do SOMA Breath techniques while driving or in water.

Participants can sit or lie down for the Awakening Ceremony. Lying down is safer if someone thinks they may become light headed, dizzy, or lose consciousness.

There are some cases where holding the breath or even breathwork as a whole is not advised. Breathwork and Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) is contraindicated in the case of:

• Acute somatic and viral diseases
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD-I and COPD-III)
• Chronic diseases with symptoms of decompensation, or terminal illness
• Individual intolerance of oxygen insufficiency
• Cancer, unless IHT is prescribed by a doctor
• People with epilepsy, pacemakers or heart arrhythmias, unless treatment (including IHT) is under direct medical supervision.

Other:
In the case of high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart conditions, and pregnancy the breath holds should be left out. Instead, participants with any of these conditions can do the rhythmic breathing and maintain their focus on meditation and heart coherence.

Age Restrictions

You must be at least 12 years of age to take part in SOMA Breathwork, and anyone under the age of 16 must always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Useful Information for Participants

You may want to send out a communication to participants so they have a more comfortable experience that may include the following:

Wear comfortable clothes. Yoga style clothing is perfect. All breathwork techniques should be done on an empty stomach, either in the morning before breakfast after rehydrating with water, or at least 2 hours after eating a full meal.

You may also wish to include the minimum age and any contraindications.