YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE
21 Days of Breathwork to ride into this year with clarity, courage and unshakable presence
March 1st - 22nd, 2026
A 3-week online community journey to build a steady daily practice of breath and connection
Hands up if last few years didn’t just change you…they shook you to your core.
Plans fell apart. Identities dissolved. Any illusion of stability you once relied on was quietly or dramatically stripped away…
Yeah, me too 🙋🏻♀️
This year, the world is only going to get more intense. More AI, more lost jobs, more political drama, more chaos, and more conflict.
In the midst of all this, it’s tempting to check out. Habit would have us numb, scroll, snack, drink, smoke, shop. To find relief anywhere we can.
Except you already know these coping strategies chip away at your physical health, your mental clarity and your soul, now and in the long run.
This year, you’re invited to break free from these cycles and choose a new path forward.
You’re invited to come home to the presence within and grow the deep roots that will sustain you through the chaos.
The energy of the year demands it.
Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎
In the Chinese astrological system 2026 is a yang fire horse year, carrying powerful, untamed energy. It’s a year of momentum. Of taking big risks and making bold moves in the world.
It represents a profound shift and contrast to the yin, inward energy of last year. If 2025 forced us to go within to shed our old skins and illusions, then 2026 is inviting us to gallop toward our true destiny.
While this may feel like a welcome change for some, this energy of this year has its own shadows. Fire uncontained, burns and destroys. And a horse untethered, can trample you. This year is ripe for more chaos and destruction.
In times like these, we don’t need another “new year, new you” self-improvement program. We don’t need to fix ourselves or become someone new. We simply need space to connect with the wisdom, courage and the unshakable presence that already live within us.
Our Journey: Ancient Practices for Modern Times
For thousands of years, humans of every culture and creed have gathered around the fire in moments of upheaval — to be together, to nourish one another, to breathe, to tell stories, to pray, to remember who they are, and to keep the light alive through dark times.
This program is a modern evolution of this ancient ancestral ritual. It isn’t based on the idea that something is wrong with you.
It springs from the foundational truth that you already have everything you need within you.
What’s missing isn’t willpower, discipline or some trendy new framework. It’s the space, structure, and support to connect with the unwavering center within your own being.
Year of the Fire Horse is a 21-day transformational container.
Each day for 21 days, you’ll practice a 20 minute breathwork set designed to strengthen your nervous system, ground your energy, and expand your capacity to meet intensity without collapsing or numbing out.
Your breath will become an anchor inside your own body: a place you can return to when fear arises, when decisions feel heavy, or when life feels like too much. With the support of your breath, you’ll learn how to stay present inside the chaos, instead of collapsing or escaping.
Your daily breathwork practice is an opportunity to return to yourself each day; not to reinvent who you are, but to embody the greatest expression of yourself.
By the end of these 21 days of breathwork practice, the majority of participants note:
Less reactivity in stressful conversations, resulting in improved relationships with partners, friends and co-workers
Increased capacity to meet challenging emotions as they arise
A steadier baseline of calm in their nervous system
Ability to slow down and transform anxiety, discomfort, and overwhelm in the moment
Clearer, more confident decision-making when things feel uncertain
Feeling more grounded and connected to their body
Improved mood and optimism for the future
You won’t only emerge ready for all that awaits you this year, you’ll be accompanied by a community of like-minded practitioners committed to their own growth and evolution.
We’ll be gathered around the fire together, remembering that we don’t have to walk this wild year alone.
“The daily breathwork provided a powerful shift in my inner state and perspective. I felt more at peace and focused. My mental fog, anxiety and overthinking cleared. As a result, I discovered a newfound clarity for my desires for my life and career. From this place of inner knowing, confidence and stability, I made a big shift in my job and career. This program is AMAZING!”
Rindcy Davis, PhD & Associate Medical Director
Year of the Fire Horse is for you if…
The last few years have changed you, and you’re ready to integrate and embody your greatest self
You want to ride the fire of this year with clarity instead of fear, and build stability in your life with a daily practice that is simple, powerful, and sustainable
You’re done with coping mechanisms that don’t truly nourish you, and are ready to break free from the cycles of craving and shame
You’re exhausted from stress and overwhelm. You want to tune into your inner knowing, and feel clear and confident making decisions about and building your future
You’re too busy and stressed out to meditate. You need something accessible that can shift your state and help you relax in a matter of minutes. No equipment, expensive supplements, subscription, fancy set-up or complicated philosophy required, just your own body and breath
You crave community, a felt sense of connection and real human guidance - not just an app or Youtube videos
This isn’t another thing to do “someday.” It’s an invitation to meet this year and your life now with presence and power, instead of escapism.
“Skepticism is a lifelong habit of mine. So I engaged Mallory’s instruction with both hope and a shrug. I was looking to improve communication within my family, and to calm a hurricane of emotions within myself. I found Mallory’s teaching to be eminently practical and free of jargon. It also works!
Within a week of daily practice I was noticing changes: in the patience I had with others, in my less reactionary responses to triggers, in the positive way I’d embrace the tasks of the day. I’d recommend Mallory’s intelligent guidance to anyone who wants to communicate productively with team, family, friends, colleagues – and to clarify things within themselves.”
David Levy, Writer & Brand Strategist
Year of the Fire Horse is a 21 Day Transformational Journey with tools and resources that will support you for life
The price of the program is $275 and includes:
✓ 20min daily breathwork practice you can use for the rest of your life - rooted in the Himalayan kriya yoga tradition
✓ Neuroscience and psychology of breath, nervous system and behavior change, so you can actually understand what you’re doing and why it works
✓ Tools and support to easily incorporate breathwork into your daily routine, even if you’ve never successfully started a new healthy habit before
✓ Live kickoff session, weekly community calls and guided practice sessions, plus recordings
✓ On-going chat support through the online community portal
✓ Mobile app to access guided practice videos and all content anywhere, anytime
✓ Small group pods for accountability, community and inspiration
✓ Reflection and ritual practices to amplify the effects of the daily breathwork help you find your center in the midst of chaos
“Over the 3 weeks, I began to truly feel each breath reach the depths of my belly and chest and literally slow my heart rate and pulse. I now have tools to use now when I am anxious or in situations where my heart rate is up. I would recommend this program to anyone who experiences anxiety, a racing heart or wants to move through life more grounded.”
Jenna Lieberman, Teacher
Year of the Fire Horse offers all the support you need to make breathwork part of your daily life
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✔️ 20min Daily Breathwork Practice
A grounding, stabilizing practice rooted in the Himalayan Kriya Yoga tradition and supported by modern neuroscience. It will become a friend for life, and be powerful for both beginner and experienced practitioners.
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✔️ 2.5 hr Live Kickoff Session
Sunday March 1st - 11:00am - 1:30pm
Learn the practice, understand the philosophy and nervous system science behind it, and gather as a community to set intention for the year ahead. -
✔️ Live Weekly Support Sessions
Sundays March 8th, 15th and 22nd at 11am - 12:15pm ET
Gather around the virtual fire for live coaching, Q&A, reflection, and support to help you stay consistent and inspired.
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✔️ Online Community Portal & App
All recordings, discussions, and community connection hosted in a calm, intentional space designed to support reflection and presence. Hosted on the Sutra platform and app.
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✔️ Small Group Pods & Pop-Up Practices
Connect with a small group of 3-4 others each week and join the community on Zoom to be guided and share in the 20min practice together. Pop-up practice schedule determined by the availability of the group.
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✔️ Reflection, Rituals & Resource Library
Reflection, ritual and additional practices to amplify the effects of the daily breathwork, plus podcasts, articles, books and more to inspire your journey.
“I feel like I now have permission to slow down and give my mind and body what it really needs. This program showed me that allocating even just 15-20 mins a day to healthy practices makes a big difference.”
Nick Ludwig, Podcaster & Author
Timing & Commitment
Your commitment is simple:
20 minutes of practice a day for 21 days
One live online community class per week
$275
Live Sessions will be held every Sunday at 11am ET beginning right after the Lunar New Year to harness this powerful energy of new beginnings.
Class Schedule
Year of the Fire Horse Program Kickoff to learn the practice and open the portal:
Sunday March 1, 11:00am - 1:30pm ET
Weekly Live Sessions for Q&A, reflection and connection:
Sunday March 8, 11am - 12:15pm ET
Sunday March 15, 11am - 12:15pm ET
Sunday March 22, 11am - 12:15pm ET
All sessions will be recorded, but the live sessions are where the magic happens.
"I have experienced so much profound change working with Mallory: I have more energy and strength, am more in touch with myself, and I have a more positive outlook. My capacity to withstand change in the world at large and in my personal life have deepened. I still practice her techniques and consider them a gift. Making the decision to try the 21 Day Breathwork Program was truly one of the best investments I’ve ever made in myself."
Rebecca Perrin, Creative Officer, Eileen Fisher
About Your Guide
👋 Hi, I’m Mallory
The last few years have rocked me to my core.
I had to close the business I shared with my partner and best friend and imagine an entirely new life for myself. I was floored by long COVID, chronic illness and fatigue that stripped away my sense of certainty and control.
I am emerging from these fires devoted — not to doing more — but to growing deeper roots and returning again and again to the practices that have sustained me throughout my entire adult life.
My spiritual journey began when I wandered into a Bikram Yoga class at the age of 19, and was shed tears for the first time in almost a decade. Since then, I’ve devoted my life to studying yoga of all varieties, Vedic philosophy, Buddhist meditation, Taoism and Reiki.
In 2019, I travelled to India to intensively study Himalayan kriya yoga and breathwork, and receive initiation into the lineage of Babaji.
I’m honored to share this ancient wisdom alongside my studies of the science of the nervous system and best practices in behavior change from my former career as a Deloitte strategy consultant.
Over the last 6 years, I’ve worked with countless individuals, organizations, conferences and festivals to ignite the power of breath and connection, and have watched miracles unfold before my eyes.
I’ve seen these practices help people reclaim their health and vitality, come off meds, make big career moves and heal their relationships with their partners and family members. They have carried me beyond addiction, burnout, illness and grief, back to myself.
I couldn’t think of a better way to ride into this new year than practicing alongside you.
Will you join me?
“The 21 Day Breathwork program is the best thing I've done for myself and my well-being. It helped me break though layers of anxiety and feel creative, inspired, and settled for the first time in a while.
I'm an experienced yoga and meditation teacher and had some familiarity with breathwork, but Mallory helped me develop a deeper and more subtle breath practice. She is a gifted teacher with a lot to offer to new and established students.”
Jaime Ledesma, Deloitte Consultant & Yoga Teacher
Our Manifesto
“The 21 days of practice didn’t feel like work or a drag, my body developed an appetite for the practice!
Mallory is clear and collected. She speaks with warmth and makes sure everyone is held in the space. She also knows her breathwork sh*t, and that’s hot.”
Jess Here, DJ
Our Community Values
🧐 Curiosity
Every moment presents and opportunity to learn something new. We aim to approach life with a beginners mind, open to new ways of seeing and being.
🌎 Uniqueness
Every individual is unique. We don’t believe in one-size-fits all solutions. We honor each person’s individual culture, context, and journey, and make space for diversity of experience.
🕸️ Community
Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said “the next Buddha will be the Sangha”, meaning that the age of individual enlightened gurus is over. The pathway to sustained change is through community support.
💗 Devotion
Discipline is commitment of the mind, whereas devotion is commitment of the heart. We are devoted to the healing and evolution of ourselves, our communities and our planet from a place of love, rather than “fixing” what is “wrong”.
🔥 Transformation
Kriya means “taking action that leads to evolution”. We are here to do the thing. To change and evolve. No turning back. No hiding from our power and potential. We are ready to surrender to the transformation that is calling us.
Questions?
If you have personal questions about the program, you’re welcome to schedule a time to chat 1:1 with Mallory.
FAQs
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We offer the 21 Days of Breathwork in community every lunar new year, and you’re welcome and encouraged to join every year!
The structure of the program will be quite similar to last year with a few important differences and upgrades:
The practice will be different - you’ll learn 3-4 new techniques to add to your toolkit that will be particularly helpful to meet the energy of 2026
We’ve upgraded our online learning platform to Sutra, which offers a better and more integrated community experience - all content and chats will be on the Sutra app, no more Whatsapp chats.
The weekly live sessions are slightly longer to make more space for community connection
The resource library has new rituals and resources to support your journey
Each group is unique and we’ll also be tailoring the content and experience to the needs of the individuals in this group.
If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to Mallory at mallory@breathconnection.co.
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I’ve received hundreds of hours of training and worked with hundreds of individuals over 10 years of teaching, plus the rigor from my parallel career in corporate strategy, training and facilitation.
Here are some highlights:
TEACHING EXPERIENCENov 2019 - present: Breath ConnectionOnline & New York, NY
Work with individuals 1:1 to make breathwork, meditation and kriya yoga practices a consistent daily habit
Teach online breathwork classes and maintain an online community
Teach in-person workshops at events and festivals including IMEX Conference, Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) Ecstatic Dance, Resonance, and Dance Beyond
Jan 2020 - present: Co-Founder of Inheritance Project
Design and facilitate conflict resolution and inclusive leadership training for organizations such as Vanguard, Heineken, Stony Brook University and Suffolk County government
Lead organization-wide culture change initiatives and train-the-trainer programs
March 2015 - Dec 2019: Deloitte Greenhouse Lab Manager
Design and facilitate workshops and strategy retreats for C-level executive teams
Teach creative problem solving, strategy and innovation processes at UNLEASH (UN Social Innovation Lab) and CPSI
May 2017 - Oct 2018: Loom Yoga Center Brooklyn, NY
Taught weekly yoga classes at both Bushwick and Williamsburg studio locations, including Open Level Vinyasa Flow and Reiki & Restore
YOGA & MEDITATION TRAINING
April 2024 & March 2025: Vipassana Meditation, Insight Meditation Society Barre, MA
Vipassana silent meditation course with Erin Treat, Victoria Cary and Howard Cohn
Aug 2023: Vipassana Meditation, Insight Meditation Society Barre, MA
Vipassana silent meditation course with Narayan Helen Liebenson
Nov 2020 - Jan 2021: Beyond 500-Hr “Master Training” Sattva Yoga Academy Online
Deeper training in the Himalayan Kriya Yoga practices of the Babaji lineage, including yoga philosophy, puja, meditation, pranayama, kriya and asana with Anand Mehrotra
Oct - Nov 2020 Held: The Somatics of Support Online
Exploration of guiding somatic experiences of support, including physiology, anatomy, the nervous system and Bartenieff Fundamentals with Margherita Tisato
Jan 2020: “The Art of Waiting” Yin Yoga Training, Temple Brooklyn, NY
Yin Yoga training, including anatomy, pain science and the nervous system with Margherita Tisato
April - May 2019: 500-Hr YTT, Sattva Yoga Academy Rishikesh, India
Intensive training in the Himalayan Kriya Yoga practices of the Babaji lineage, including yoga philosophy, puja, meditation, pranayama, kriya and asana with Anand Mehrotra
Certified as a kriya meditation teacher, who is able to initiate students into the lineage with their own personal mantra
February 2019: Classical Hatha Yoga, Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore, India
Introduction to Hatha yoga poses and techniques in the tradition of Sadhguru
February 2019: Vipassana Meditation, Dhamma Setu V Chennai, India
10-Day silent Vipassana meditation course in the tradition of S.N. Goenka
Oct 2018: 12-Hr Restorative Yoga Training, Bend & Bloom Brooklyn, NYComprehensive training in Restorative yoga poses, sequencing and use of props with Marlie Mcgovern
Jan - June 2018: 100- Hour Yoga, Mind & Spirit Training New York, NY
Psychology and neuroscience of yoga, including the latest scientific research on breath and nervous system with Joe Loizzo and Sonia Sequeira
Studies of yoga philosophy, including the Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and Sri Vijnana Bhairava Tantra with Mary Reilly Nichols, Jacob Kyle and Marlie McGovern
2017: Trauma-Informed Yoga Training, Liberation Yoga Project New York NY
Understanding of trauma and nervous system, and techniques for structuring and guiding a trauma-aware yoga class with Anneka Lucas
Nov 2015 - Mar 2016: 200-Hr YTT, Loom Yoga Center Brooklyn, NY
Comprehensive training in yoga asana, anatomy, class structure, yoga philosophy and meditation with Margherita Tisato, Ambyr D’Amato and Ximena Milagros Perez Frankel
REIKI TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
July 2020 - Present: Reiki Teacher & Mentor New York, NY
July 2016 Usui Reiki Ryoho: Level 3 with Bogdan Ciochinaru New York, NY
March 2015: Usui Reiki Ryoho, Level 2 with Bogdan Ciochinaru New York, NY
Sept 2014: Usui Reiki Ryoho, Level 1 with Bogdan Ciochinaru New York, NY
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It is recommended to practice first thing in the morning after you wake up, before eating. It's better to practice on an empty stomach, ideally not within ~3hrs of eating a large meal. The morning tends to be when most people have more control over their time, before going to work or other commitments.
However, you’ll be guided through a structured process to create an individualized plan for your practice, based on your lifestyle and preferences. We've worked with people who do the practice consistently before bed in the evening, after leaving work, during their lunch break, during a morning break, or a combination of the above depending on the day.
It's all about what works best for you.
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One of the things we love about breathwork practice is that you don't need to buy any fancy equipment. All you need is yourself and your lungs. Literally, anyone can do it!
You’'ll do this year’s 20min practice seated. You can do the practice sitting up on a chair, bench or stool with your feet on the floor, or sitting cross-legged on the floor or a cushion, depending on what works best for your body.
We do recommend dedicating a particular place in your living space for your practice. It doesn't have to be anything intense - simply the same chair in the same corner of the same room will work. Practicing in a consistent physical environment can help you create and maintain a new habit consistently. During the program, you’ll be given comprehensive guidance on how to create a supportive practice space in your home.And remember physical practice space isn't required, it's simply a suggestion that can support your new daily routine. If you are traveling, away from your regular living space or living nomadically, you’ll make a personal practice plan that works for you.
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Studies have shown that consistent, intentional breath practices impact human physiology in profound ways, including reducing anxiety, improving cardiovascular health and strengthening the nervous system. Some report results from as little as 6 seconds of deep breathing!
While you may be able to feel the effects and receive benefit from a few minutes or even seconds of deep breathing, in my experience practicing and teaching for many years, I've found that 20min provides a good amount of time for most people to feel a significant impact on their mental and physical health.At the same time, 20min is still short enough to fit easily into your busy schedule. Anyone can set aside 20min, especially if you use the time you usually spend scrolling on social media, ruminating on situations you can't control or other draining activities :)
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Getting up earlier and/or sacrificing other activities you love is not required in this program :)
Mallory brings not only 6 years of experience working with clients 1:1 to change their habits and integrate practice into their daily routine, but also 11+ years as a strategy and organizational change consultant. We understand deeply all the common barriers to changing our lifestyle and habits, and can support you with the most effective, evidence-based strategies to make this part of your routine without sacrificing sleep or joy! -
No problem. The only certainty in life is change. The purpose of this program is to help you integrate daily practice into your lifestyle over the long term, which means working with the inevitable ups, downs, changes and disruptions that occur in life. You’ll create a personalized practice plan that takes into account your travel and other unique life commitments.
Rather than forcing you to stick to an overly rigidly routine (e.g., I must practice at exactly 6:33am every day or I'm a failure), you’ll be supported to create a plan that is flexible and can serve you through periods of travel or other disruption.
In our experience, having a daily breathwork practice can be immensely helpful during travel to help you stay grounded and manage the stress that can arise from travel, whether it is schedule disruptions, being with family or simply being away from your usual routines and comforts.
The practice is here to support you to live the life you desire and show up as your best self for it, not limit you. -
Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to offer 2 partial scholarships this year!
If you are in need of a scholarship, please email mallory@breathconnection.co explaining your situation and why you are drawn to this program. -
No refunds. All sales are final. Once you’re in, you’re in :)
If you have questions about our refund policy, please reach out to mallory@breathconnection.co.