Report on CYTA Training Day 12 September 2026
Words by Judith Lynch
Cyta held their annual half day members’ day on Saturday 12 September in Hazel Grove, Stockport.
There were 23 attendees on the day, including a large number of non members.
Clare Tunstall led the day’s content on the subject of preparation for and practice of pranayama. Her
teaching was excellent. She helped participants with appropriate modifications and supporting
props. She introduced the topic of pranayama as “meditative breathing”. We spent time observing
ourselves practising sitting and standing tall, with a tall back and an open chest. We found strength
in our muscles, length stretching the body upwards with our arms raised and width stretching out
the body with arms at shoulder height. Stretching the sides of our bodies and lengthening upwards
and outwards with the arms using tools such as a block or belt behind the back and a block between
the legs enhanced the stretches, enabling us to lift and open the body some more.
Moving onto lying Baddha Konasana we opened the chest more with the help of carefully placed
blocks and legs placed in a comfortable position by supportive blocks. Next we raised the chest some
more with the shoulders released down onto the mat and the legs straightened and supported with
a belt.
Moving onto the breathing techniques we practised breath awareness, with equal length inhalation
and exhalation. We moved onto practising a longer relaxing out breath and then finally to practising
a longer in breath than the exhalation. We were advised to look out for any tension in the latter
practice around the throat and face. A tip to avoid straining is to wrap the lips around the teeth to
ease any tension creeping above the chest area as you practise the longer inhalation. Clare stressed
that pranayama is about stilling the mind and staying calm as you practise. It is also something to
practise, even if only for a short time, on a regular basis.
Thank you to Clare for her well-prepared, clear and charmingly presented workshop. Her knowledge,
experience and precise tuition shone through. Clare’s empathy and practical hands-on support for
participants was outstanding. The time flew by as we were concentrating and working hard
throughout the workshop.
Thanks to all those who participated on a rather chilly and gloomy morning and in a less than perfect
conditions. Also thanks to the Cyta Committee who organised and ran the morning’s activity,
including a very tasty shared lunch and enjoyable chat afterwards.