How to use Pranayama to Balance Hormones and Regulate Your Nervous System


Harmony sits down with Siobhan Fitzgerald, a dedicated yoga teacher and breathwork practitioner whose work explores the ancient wisdom of Pranayama and its profound relevance to modern life—especially for women in midlife.
Siobhan shares how traditional Pranayama practices and kriyas can support women’s health through perimenopause and beyond, helping to regulate digestion, balance hormones, calm the nervous system, and heal emotional trauma.
She and Harmony dive into how breath becomes a pathway for energy management and how subtle energetic shifts through practice can lead to increased stability, vitality, and inner resilience.
With warmth and clarity, Siobhan discusses the importance of working with a teacher, understanding energetic imprints, and reclaiming embodied practice as a form of sacred remembrance and healing.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why Pranayama is so effective for emotional regulation and hormonal health
- How specific breathing practices support digestion and nervous system function
- The difference between general breathwork and prescriptive yogic Pranayama
- Why perimenopause is a powerful time for spiritual practice and transformation
- The energetic imprints that live in our tissues—and how breath can help release them
- How kriyas and subtle energetics offer tools for trauma healing and vitality
Disclaimer:
This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, which may be sensitive or triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening. The information shared on this podcast is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
Learn more about Siobhan Fitzgerald: @yogawithsiobhan
Connect with Harmony:
Join the Pranayama Masterclass: https://harmonyslater.com/free-90-minute-pranayama-masterclass
Book a Clarity Call with Harmony: https://harmonyslater.as.me/Clarity-Session
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00:00 - Introduction and Content Warning
00:26 - Meet Your Host: Harmony Slater
01:12 - Guest Introduction: Shavonne Fitzgerald
02:20 - Exploring Pranayama and Its Benefits
06:17 - Personal Journey and Healing with Pranayama
09:27 - The Practice of Doughty and Its Therapeutic Effects
16:20 - The Science Behind Pranayama and Emotional Healing
27:14 - Prescriptive Pranayama for Individual Needs
40:30 - Understanding the Importance of Breath Counting
40:42 - The Science Behind Extended Exhales
41:38 - Pranayama Before Asana Practice
42:08 - Different Approaches in Yoga Practices
42:41 - The Benefits of Pranayama
44:13 - Exploring Various Breath Work Techniques
45:15 - Dangers of Improper Breath Work
49:35 - The Right Way to Learn Pranayama
57:30 - Personal Experiences and Success Stories
01:07:21 - Upcoming Workshops and Masterclasses
01:09:17 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts