We all know how to breathe. If we forgot how, we certainly wouldn't be around long. But yoga requires a special type of breathing, called pranayama. Pranayama is breath control. Proper breath allows for the mind to be clear and for the body to utilize oxygen most effectively when moving through the poses.
Our breathe is so automatic, that we often fail to pay attention to it. This inattention leads our breath to become fast and shallow. Yoga breath is slow and deep. Yoga breath brings lots of essential oxygen into our body and dispels toxic elements in our exhalation.
Stress also leads us to neglect our yoga breath. New practitioners of yoga might be surprised at how hard they find it to coordinate the yoga movements with the proper breath. This is because the yoga position is stressing our mind and body. I fall into this trap still. When I try and new or challenging pose, I often don't realize I am trying to force the move while holding my breath until the instructor says, "Remember to breathe!"
As with yoga positions, yoga breath is a practice, something we must continue to learn and grow in as long as we are practicing yoga. I find it much easier to hear breathing instruction rather than read them. Click on the image below to watch an instructional YouTube video on yoga breath.
Meg's Yoga Guide
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