BREATHING CHALLANGE

This month we are going to offer a live challenge of 4 days of breathing techniques.

Learning how to use your breath during practice is key for deepening your practice. Breath is so natural that most people breathe without noticing it unless they are forced to or restricted in some way. I can relate to this when life was so stressful that I did not connect with my breathing at all. I was always in systematic mode all the time. There are several Pranayama exercises in Yoga that are used to improve concentration, circulation, awareness, and cleansing. The goal of Pranayama is to return to the awareness of our natural breath and recover healthy breathing patterns.

Benefits of Breathing

• Helps you stay integrated into your practice

• It reduces your stress responses

• Improves lung function Encourages relaxation

• Activates the parasympathetic system

The four main breathing techniques: Diaphragmatic breathing – a yogic practice that consciously uses the diaphragm with the breath. Full Yogic Breathing – is similar to diaphragmatic breathing with the exception of the rising and expansion of the ribs; the rise and drop goes into the opposite direction. Alternate Nostril Breathing (nadi shodhana) – Designed to clean the nadis (channels). Ujjayi Breathing- The breathing patterns used during the yoga practice.