The Beauty Is In The Breath.....

Pranayama. In traditional yoga, the breath is known as prana, or universal life-force energy within all of us. Thus, your pranic body is your vital body, also known as your energy body. Breath is life. Yogis have known the amazing benefits of breathing practices for thousands of years, but scientists in the Western world have only recently established a clear connection between deep, controlled breathing and improved health. And someone recently told me how important it is to get plenty of oxygen to your brain, thus inspiring the topic for this post.
One of the greatest health benefits in our culture is stress reduction. We know that stress is linked to a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. Just learning how to breath deeply, on and off the mat, can reduce, or even eliminate, many of the symptoms triggered by stress.
Classic yoga breathing techniques, known as Pranayama, are used to control the breath and harness the prana within and surrounding your body in order to create a state of inner peace. And it just so happens that the many health benefits can be a by-product of a regular diaphragmatic breathing practice.
It is common during everyday life to use only the upper third of our lungs. This kind of shallow breathing is generally caused by tension or stress. Because there are more blood vessels in the lower portion of our lungs, we need to use our entire lung capacity to get enough oxygen into our bodies, and to release the toxins that are eliminated as we exhale. The increased oxygen we breathe in gives us more physical energy and improves our concentration and mental clarity, which is one of the first things we lose when we are under stress. Something I have been a target of recently.
So my purpose with this post is to explain some simple breathing techniques that can be used throughout your day to clear your mind and reduce your stress level, while releasing those toxins, leaving you feeling peaceful and calm and better able to handle the weather that you have created in your life.
Traditional yoga breathing practices are done exclusively through the nostrils rather than through your mouth. Breaths taken through your nose warm and filter the air coming into your body. These breaths keep your body warmer while you work out as well, which is necessary for your muscles and connective tissues to stretch safely and effectively. It is also more efficient for your heart and lungs, which is why many professional athletes practice this technique.

Ujjayi Breathing:
Before beginning this technique, take 3 or 4 deep breaths in through you nose and out through your nose. Focus on inhaling all the way down to the bottom third of your lungs, making your inhalation match in length with your exhalation.
Next, to begin Ujjayi breathing, also known as "Darth Vadar" breathing, inhale deeply through your nose and then place your hand in front of your mouth and exhale with your mouth open pretending that your hand is a mirror that you are trying to fog up. Do this for several breaths and focus on the sound and sensation that you feel in your throat. Then finally do this breath with your mouth closed and still produce that whisper sound in your throat as you exhale. If you can hear your breath, you will be able to recognize when it is becoming rapid or shallow, or if it is staying steady and deep. Ujjayi breath also gives you a focal point when your mind begins to wander. Once you have mastered this technique while sitting at rest, try using it when under stress or exertion, such as when driving in LA traffic or jogging.
Three-Part Breathing:
The Three-Part breath is the simplest and most rewarding of all yogic breathing exercises. It is both purifying and energizing, and if done slowly and evenly, can produce a great sense of serenity and balance. As mentioned earlier, we often breathe using only the top portion of our lungs. Breathing in and out at full capacity even just a few times can greatly increase blood oxygen levels and decrease carbon dioxide. Three-Part breaths are great for increasing your awareness of your breathing and help you use the potential depth of your lungs. In Three-Part breath you use your diaphragm to fill your lungs completely from bottom to top. To practice this technique, first focus on expanding your belly, then your ribs, and then your chest, before exhaling completely.
Relaxation Breathing:
Relaxation breath is a slow-paced technique used to induce a state of deep relaxation and centeredness. It helps reverse the physiological symptoms of stress, including lowering the heart rate and decreasing blood pressure. Although it is not as deep as the Three-Part breath, this technique also focuses on matching the length and depth of the inhalation to that of the exhalation. To do this, lie down on your back and relax completely. Place your right hand on your chest and your left hand on the upper part of your abdomen. Breathe so that only your left hand rises during the inhale and falls during the exhale. Your right hand should not move at all. Give an equal amount of time to your inhale as you do to your exhale. Breathing this way should not be a struggle. And you should do only what you are able to do calmly and comfortably.

Whether you choose to use these techniques or not, remember that when it comes to breathing, if you are breathing consciously, you are doing yoga. Nameste.