The Better Way To Breathe Properly During Yoga

The Better Way To Breathe Properly During Yoga : Breath is the seat of the spirit. It dictates the emotional state, the physical state and invites the spiritual state to wherever it flows. Yoga is a method, essentially of self-mastery, that incorporates the well-known importance of breathing to raise the body’s vibration. However, many beings, including those who regularly practise yoga, fail to fully understand the whole and holistic technique of breathing.

This article summarizes better techniques to weave into your routines that will significantly improve your yoga practice and overall longevity and vitality.

Importance of breathing correctly

Oxygen is the driving molecule for each and every cell in the body. The regular cycle of 15 breaths per minute invites it to circulate throughout the body, and is done better when lung capacity is maximized. This is because oxygen is simply the scientific understanding – life force. Prana circulates the body best when breathing is deep, not shallow like most people do in regular breathing.

Breathing as a form of yoga

Breathing is to be treated as the centre of yoga. It has the intention of achieving balance with the body, allowing peace to enter one’s mind. It can be used as a tool to allow the element of air to rinse the body of old energy that no longer serves you. In The Yellow Wallpaper by American writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, it is discussed that people often attempt to control their health through their diet. However, people have a sporadic appetite for food, whereas we always have an appetite for air. Thus, it is crucial to breathe in a mindful way to achieve health through the air.

Yogic breathing

This involves breathing slowly with long, deep breaths. The abdomen is full upon inhalation, the shoulders are raised and the neck is upright. Upon exhalation, the stomach is consciously raised, followed by the chest, shoulders and neck.

Clavicular breathing

Inhale as deep as possible, until you can feel the whole of your lungs expand. Feel the air fill the tops of your lungs and the bottom of your neck. Feel your collarbones raise, before releasing the breath from the base of your chest upwards.

Thoracic breathing

Inhale into your lungs upwards and outwards. Experience the whole expansion of your lungs as you inhale and feel the dropping sensation of them upon exhalation.

Abdominal breathing

This is also known as diaphragmatic breathing. This takes a focus on the abdomen. Rather than focusing on the lungs, feel the full expansion that breathing places on the stomach as you squeeze it during inhalation and exhalation.

Guidelines for all types of breathing during yoga (and always!)

Always remember that breathing is the most basic conscious process of the body. As a regular practice outside of yoga, try to make mindful breathing a progressive and developing thing that you incorporate into your everyday life. Here are five final key pointers that can improve your breathing during yoga:

Breathe deeply, though without excessive effort. Focusing on letting go off the attachment to breathe will allow you to breathe with peace. This does not mean breathe in a shallow fashion, though. Allow a balance between fine control over your body and releasing tension.
Remain still during breath unless you are experiencing exhalation. Breath suspension means a cessation of breathing. If you wish to move during your breathing cycle, do so after an exhalation period.
Do not move during breath suspension, if it’s following inhalation. Here, the chest and abdomen are completely expanded, which encourages the body to be resistant to movement. Allow the body to function in this natural state.
Compress the body as you exhale. In-vision the old air being gently pushed out of your body as you move. Ripple it out to detoxify your vessel from stagnant energy. This will facilitate prana to move freely.
Open the front of the body as you inhale. It takes an intelligent mind to combine movement and breathing in a synchronous fashion. Use movements like bending the back, raising the arms and head to invite air into your lungs more easily.

Darryl Martin writes professionally at Academic Brits. He also works as an editor for health blogs, which allows him to contribute to promoting healthy mindsets and eating routines. Darryl believes firmly in maintaining creativity throughout life and focuses his energy on being independent.