UPDATE
A Lesson from Nepal: How One Trip Changed the App
How a single practice session with our teacher sparked four new exercises
Last summer, a big group of us traveled to Nepal for the 5th level of Universal Yoga — a retreat with our teacher Andrey Lappa. What happened during those pranayama sessions quietly changed the way I think about breathing practice apps.
What Universal Yoga inner practices actually look like
If you're familiar with the Universal Yoga system, you know that inner practices are a whole different world. You sit in lotus pose or a light cross-legged position and work through long, sustained assignments — mantra chanting, visualizations, and extended pranayama sessions. Every other day during the retreat, we did pranayama for about an hour. Andrey counted out loud and guided us through each breathing pattern in real time.
What Universal Yoga inner practices actually look like
If you're familiar with the Universal Yoga system, you know that inner practices are a whole different world. You sit in lotus pose or a light cross-legged position and work through long, sustained assignments — mantra chanting, visualizations, and extended pranayama sessions. Every other day during the retreat, we did pranayama for about an hour. Andrey counted out loud and guided us through each breathing pattern in real time.
The structure that inspired everything
What struck me was his approach to sequencing. Every 5 minutes, the breathing pattern changed — moving from simple to complex, the whole session building on itself.
This is actually very close to how Universal Breath is structured: exercises 1 through 4 are straightforward breathing patterns, and by the 16th they become significantly more advanced. But until now, the app only let you run one pattern at a time. They didn't flow into each other.
Sitting in that retreat hall in Nepal, staying still while the pattern shifted every few minutes — I knew I wanted to bring that experience into the app.
What struck me was his approach to sequencing. Every 5 minutes, the breathing pattern changed — moving from simple to complex, the whole session building on itself.
This is actually very close to how Universal Breath is structured: exercises 1 through 4 are straightforward breathing patterns, and by the 16th they become significantly more advanced. But until now, the app only let you run one pattern at a time. They didn't flow into each other.
Sitting in that retreat hall in Nepal, staying still while the pattern shifted every few minutes — I knew I wanted to bring that experience into the app.
A Mahakala Puja with Choje Lama Phuntsok, our teacher Andrey Lappa, and the whole group. Karma Lekshey Ling Shedra, Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2025
What's new in the updated version
The update is out today on App Store and Google Play. It adds four new combined pranayama exercises:
The update is out today on App Store and Google Play. It adds four new combined pranayama exercises:
- Exercise 17 — 2 breathing patterns in sequence
- Exercise 18 — 2 patterns
- Exercise 19 — 3 patterns
- Exercise 20 — 4 patterns
Start using Universal Breath for free
Who these exercises are for
If you've worked through the first sixteen exercises and feel comfortable with extended pranayama practice, these combined sequences are the natural next step. They're designed for practitioners who want to stay in one uninterrupted session while moving through progressively more complex breathing patterns — the way a teacher would guide you in person.
Premium access and subscriptions
The 4 new exercises are available to premium users. You can subscribe inside the app — monthly, every three months, or annually. The yearly plan comes with the biggest discount.
I'll be honest: I wish everything could be free. But the app is constantly evolving, and that means ongoing work from our design and development team. If you've found value in the practice, a subscription is the most direct way to keep it growing. We think of it simply — in this world we exchange energy, and money is energy too.
If you've worked through the first sixteen exercises and feel comfortable with extended pranayama practice, these combined sequences are the natural next step. They're designed for practitioners who want to stay in one uninterrupted session while moving through progressively more complex breathing patterns — the way a teacher would guide you in person.
Premium access and subscriptions
The 4 new exercises are available to premium users. You can subscribe inside the app — monthly, every three months, or annually. The yearly plan comes with the biggest discount.
I'll be honest: I wish everything could be free. But the app is constantly evolving, and that means ongoing work from our design and development team. If you've found value in the practice, a subscription is the most direct way to keep it growing. We think of it simply — in this world we exchange energy, and money is energy too.
FAQ
What is Universal Yoga? Universal Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system restored and developed by Andrey Lappa from traditional schools. It covers asana, pranayama, mantra, visualization, and deeper inner practices organized into a clear progressive structure.
What is Universal Breath? Universal Breath is a pranayama app built entirely on the Universal Yoga breathing system. It guides practitioners through 20 structured breathing pattern exercises, from foundational techniques to advanced combined sequences.
Is Universal Breath a breathwork app or a yoga app? It sits right at the intersection. If you're coming from a breathwork background, you'll find the structured breathing pattern exercises familiar. If you're a yoga practitioner, the Universal Yoga system will give you the full context. Either way, it works as a pranayama timer app — you set your duration and the app guides you through the sequence.
Is the app suitable for beginners? The first exercises are accessible to anyone with a basic pranayama background. The combined exercises (17–20) are designed for more experienced practitioners.
Where can I download it? Universal Breath is available on the App Store and Google Play.
What is Universal Yoga? Universal Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system restored and developed by Andrey Lappa from traditional schools. It covers asana, pranayama, mantra, visualization, and deeper inner practices organized into a clear progressive structure.
What is Universal Breath? Universal Breath is a pranayama app built entirely on the Universal Yoga breathing system. It guides practitioners through 20 structured breathing pattern exercises, from foundational techniques to advanced combined sequences.
Is Universal Breath a breathwork app or a yoga app? It sits right at the intersection. If you're coming from a breathwork background, you'll find the structured breathing pattern exercises familiar. If you're a yoga practitioner, the Universal Yoga system will give you the full context. Either way, it works as a pranayama timer app — you set your duration and the app guides you through the sequence.
Is the app suitable for beginners? The first exercises are accessible to anyone with a basic pranayama background. The combined exercises (17–20) are designed for more experienced practitioners.
Where can I download it? Universal Breath is available on the App Store and Google Play.
The Practice Doesn't End — It Unfolds
Every breath is a step. Not forward, not upward — just deeper. Spiritual evolution isn't a destination you reach after years on the mat. It's what happens in the pause between the inhale and the exhale, in the stillness between one pattern and the next. You don't chase it. You simply keep showing up.
Every breath is a step. Not forward, not upward — just deeper. Spiritual evolution isn't a destination you reach after years on the mat. It's what happens in the pause between the inhale and the exhale, in the stillness between one pattern and the next. You don't chase it. You simply keep showing up.