Schlaffhorst was born in Memel. She advocated a system of breathing gymnastics with physical education with Hedwig Andersen.[2] Their method involved breathing, rhythmic movement and swinging exercises to train posture-breath coordination. In 1916, they founded an institute to promote this method known as Tonschwingubungen (sound-swinging exercises) until the 1940s.[2] Schlaffhorst was influenced by the Swiss organist Leo Kofler.[3] In 1897, she translated his book The Art of Breathing into German. The book formed the basis of her Rotenburger Breathing School (Rotenburg School of Respiration).[3][4]
The Rotenburg School of Respiration became the Schlaffhorst-Andersen School in 1982.[4]
^ abMaas, Philipp André; Preisendanz, Karin. (2018). Yoga in Transformation: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. Vienna University Press. p. 519. ISBN978-3-7370-0862-4
^ abShuck, Glenn W; Kripal, Jeffrey John. (2005). On the Edge of the Future: Esalen and the Evolution of American Culture. Indiana University Press. p. 253. ISBN978-0253345561