A+ Yoga

Yoga involves very precise movements, breathing and focus. In order to feel the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that yoga can bring to your life, you need to do it correctly and with devotion. Yoga breathing exercises and techniques are the essential component tying all of these factors together.

Most people never realize how they breathe. We automatically do it without thought or too much contemplation. However, how we breathe really impacts our entire life. We rarely use all of our lung capacity. This means most of us are not getting all of the oxygen we should or could be. Lack of oxygen in the blood lead people to think slower and also causes fatigue. It also prevents nearly all of the body systems from functioning to their fullest. Without enough oxygen, our systems retain toxins also, which can make us sick. Diseases such as cancer and heart disease can be fueled when the body is deprived of the optimal amount of oxygen.

If you are stressed, chances are you hold your breath or breathe too quickly. This hurried breathing does no good when you need to relax or calm down. This kind of breathing when you work indoors is especially counteractive to getting the right amount of oxygen. Slouching also inhibits proper breathing. When you slouch, you take in shorter breaths and compress the abdomen.

Between pollution already diminishing our oxygen supply and toxins from our surroundings, it is more important than ever to know the importance of yoga breathing exercises.

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How to do Yoga Breathing Exercises

If you are going to start any kind of yoga routine or practice, how you breathe plays a vital role in the success of your practice. You may want to focus and try yoga breathing exercises before you try to take on any poses.

First, pay attention to your breaths. Pick a focus point and deliberately concentrate on how you inhale and exhale. You may want to time your breaths to observe patterns. This will help you gauge where you might be inhibiting proper breathing without even knowing it.

There are four distinct steps to proper yoga breathing exercises. The first is called puraka. This is an inhalation. It should be smooth and continuous, not labored or fragmented. Next is a full pause called abhyantara kumbhaka. This full pause should feel relaxed. Do not tense the muscles. Let the full abdomen just be full for a moment. Try to hold this for four counts. The third step is the exhale called rechaka. This too should be smooth and continuous. This should feel relaxing as you exhale. All muscles should relax and the air should slowly be forced out of your lungs. The last step is called bahya kumbhaka. This translates to the empty pause. This is when the cycle ends. The empty pause is seen by some as a spiritual moment when everything stops and the mind is the most still. This is a very important transitional moment in yoga.

Yoga breathing exercises are the start of a process to self awareness and calm. Air is the life force we all need and depend on. Learning how to do yoga breathing exercises can help everyone make the most of that life force and use it to make their body’s and minds work to their full potential.

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