How to Breath Properly
The breath is one of the most important aspects of Yoga. Breathing regulates your state of mind, your emotions, and your concentration. Learning how to breathe properly will help you to be healthier, calmer, and allow you to handle stressful life situations. More than anything, it just makes you feel better!!! continue
How to Hold the Breath
A Yogi should master the ability to hold the breath in and out. Holding the breath in is always easier than keeping it out. Therefore, one must practice in order to master this technique. The reason for discomfort while keeping air out of the lungs is due to the fact that the brain has a negative reaction when the carbon. continue
How the Nostrils Work
Most people think that both nostrils are always working simultaneously while you are breathing through the nose. However, there is always one nostril that is dominant over the other. Even stranger, every two and a half hours the dominant nostril switches sides! continue
Alternative Nostril Breathing
Breathing through the left nostril is calming, and breathing through the right nostril has an energizing effect. To learn more about how the nostrils work (very interesting) Click here. continue
Long Deep Breathing
Long deep breathing is one of the most common and fulfilling ways to breathe. This type of breath is done by using the full capacity of the lungs in both the inhalation and exhalation. This is done slowly, without rushing the breath. It is also normally practiced through the nose because it aids in controlling the breath. However, this can also be done through the mouth. continue
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire is without a doubt the most sophisticated Pranayama (breath control). It is an amazing tool that aids with anxiety, nervousness, fear, pain, and sadness. Yogi Bhajan said that a person is granted a predetermined number of breaths from birth until death; the breath of fire is ONE. continue
Sitali Pranayam
Sitali Pranayam, also known as the “cooling breath”, is used with some kriyas, segmented breaths, and with Breath of Fire. How to do it: (1) Curl the tongue into a U shape. (2) Inhale through the curled tongue. (3) Exhale through the nose. continue
Broken Breaths
Some kriyas are used with broken breaths. This type of breathing works with an inhalation ratio: hold, exhale, and hold. Example: 1:4:2:0, 4:16:2:0. Inhale in four strokes through the nose, hold for four seconds, exhale in two strokes, and then hold the air out in an O. Another common example is the 4:1 ratio. Inhale in 4 equal strokes, like quick sniffs through the nose, and exhale in one quick stroke through the nose. continue
Whistle Breaths
Make a little hole in your lips where the air comes out. Listen to the sound of the whistle while you are breathing. There are two ways to do this type of breath. One way is inhaling through the nose, and exhaling through the mouth while making a high pitched sound. The other way is to inhale through the puckered mouth making a high pitched sound while exhaling through the nose. continue
Kapalabhati Breath
Sit in a comfortable sitting position. The most commonly used position for this type of breathing is sitting on the heels (although you can use others too). Start exhaling forcefully, and push the air out while pulling the abdomen in. Next, inhale through the nose quickly and force the air out, pulling the abdomen in. This type of breath is done at a fast pace. continue
Meditation on the Breath
This is a wonderful meditation when feeling stressed, upset, or fearful. Just close your eyes and meditate on the breath. Feel the flow coming in and out. Receive every breath as a gift of life. Use the mantra “Sat Nam”. continue
Pranayama Sets
Breathing To Change Nostrils at Will And To Alter Mental States, Basic breath series, Pranayama series #1, Pranayama series #2… continue
Yoga Essentials – The Basics of Yoga