Breathe!

When a Yoga Teacher prompts you to breathe or says "focus on your breath," what are they really telling you?

The breath is the only system in the human body that operates both involuntarily and voluntarily. (Mitchell & Berger, 1975). As humans, we are aware that we breathe in and out thousands of times each day without having to think about it. This is our involuntary breath that continues our life energy throughout the day (and night). It is the breath that contributes to our life force. When your yoga teacher says focus on your breath. You are bringing your awareness to this involuntary response.

When the teacher prompts you to take a deep inhalation and slow exhalation, you are then in control of your breath (prana in Sanskrit). That is because you are now changing HOW you breathe.

Voluntarily controlling your breath means controlling your life force (pranayama). Both types of breathing are very important to yoga practice and therefore both are important to maintaining a healthy life.

In yoga poses (asana) when we may control the breath, we use the breath as a focal point. It may be used to aid us to get into a pose or even go deeper into the pose. Perhaps, the breath brings more oxygen to a pose or any other activity that you are trying to do.

Controlling the breath helps to concentrate the mind.

Breath can help to focus the mind during all types of meditation. One example that may be very familiar to you is, taking a deep breath and counting to 10 when you feel angry. This is a form of controlling the emotional layer of being by using the breath. In meditation, controlling the breath helps to focus the monkey mind mind back to bring it back to center, make things more peaceful.

There are many different breathing techniques that can be used to improve your well-being. One such technique is called three-part breath or belly breath (dirgha). As you inhale deeply, the belly expands, as you exhale the belly drops toward your tailbone. It cools off the body and settles your mind.

This type of breathing is a great way to center the mind as you envision the breath coming into the belly, the ribs and then the collarbone. Try belly breath on your own only if you have not had recent surgeries to your torso or head. (Carlson, 2020).

Private Lessons

A private lesson is a great way to have the full attention of a teacher. A private lesson is tailored to your needs and your situation. I am currently offering private lessons online. You can book my time on the website by clicking on "Book An Appointment."

If you prefer an in-person lesson, please use the contact form on the website.

Yoga Nidra

Just a reminder that I have gone back to offering Yoga Nidra on Mondays only. If you have interest for another night, then find a friend or two and contact me directly for a special class time.

Resources:

Carlson, L. H. (2020) Yogic Breathing Techniques: Life-force Control.

Mitchell RA, Berger AJ. Neural regulation of respiration. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1975 Feb;111(2):206-24. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1975.111.2.206. PMID: 1089375.