The Power of the Breath

“For breath is life, so if you breathe well you will live long on earth” - Sanskrit Proverb

 Did you know we inhale and exhale approximately 20,000 times per day?  

It is something we do automatically without even thinking about it.  

Breath work is great for treating anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, anger, the list goes on, it is also powerful for gaining clarity, creativity, feeling more connected, gratitude, and increased self-love.

The Yogi masters say that the breath is your best teacher, by cultivating breath awareness you can change the way you feel. If your breath is fast and agitated you are in your flight fight mode, most likely anxious and nervous. When the breath is deep, even and long you are relaxed and at peace, you feel calm and connected. 

It is vital to your wellbeing to connect and listen to the breath and learn how to breathe correctly by using different techniques.
There are many different breathing exercises and each one has it’s unique purpose and benefits. 

Here are 3 simple exercises you can introduce as part of your daily practise

Nadi Shodana: 
Otherwise known as alternate nostril breathing, a powerful breathing practise with numerous benefits. 

This type of pranayama clears and prufies the body and balances the masculine and feminine energies. 

It has numerous benefits such as: 

• It lowers the heart rate and reduces stress

• Balances the two hemispheres of the brain

• Calms and rejuvenates the body and mind 

• Infuses the body with oxygen 

• Purifies the subtle energy channels of the body so the prana flows more easily 

Nadi Shodana is best practiced early in the morning and on an empty stomach. 

Come to a comfortable seated position.

Bring the right hand into Vishnu Mudra and bring your thumb to your right nostril, ring and pinky fingers to the left nostril. The  index and middle finger folded resting at the base of the thumb.

Exhale completely and close the right nostril with your thumb and inhale through the left nostril, then close your left nostril with your pinky and ring finger and exhale through the right nostril. Once you have fully exhaled, inhale with your right nostril, close your right nostril with your thumb and exhale with your left. Then inhale  with your left nostril before closing the left nostril and exhaling with the right. Repeat 10 or more rounds. 

Always finish the breath exhaling from the left nostril and then take time to sit and feel. 

Practicing this breathing exercise for 10 mins a day has immense benefits to you body, mind and soul. 

Kaphalabati: 

This yogic breathing exercise seeks to rid your body of harmful toxins. In fact, 'Kapal' means 'forehead' and 'bhati' denotes 'shining' and ensures a healthy mind.

Benefits: 

• Oxygenates  dead lung space

• Strengthens and tones lower transverse abdominis muscle

• Improves digestion

• Strengthen mula bandha

• Improves concentration and memory

There are so many benefits of a regular Kapalabhati practice – from the physiological to the spiritual.
Come to a comfortable seated position and close your eyes. Become aware of your breath and with every exhale relax your body.

Relax your abdominal muscles,  inhale through both nostrils and expand the chest. 

Then start to contract your lower belly, pushing air out of your lungs. Then release the contraction, so the belly “rebounds” to bring air into your lungs.  Go gentle to begin with. 

Repeat about 10 times and do 3 rounds.  Sit peacefully after observing the feelings and sensations. 

Always practise this breathing exercise on an empty stomach or 4 to 5 hours after eating, preferably in the morning.

Simhasana Pranayama:

Otherwise known as Lion’s breath. This type of breathing exercise relieves tension and stress by stretching your entire face, including the jaw and tongue.  It also stimulates the platysma, a thin, rectangular-shaped muscle in the front of your throat. This type of pranayama will keep the platysma strong as you age.

Benefits: 

• Boosts Lung capacity

• Increases cognitive function

• Improves sleep

• Relieves tension in the face 

• Known to eradicate disease

Plus it helps to loosen you up and let go and it’s fun to roar! 

You can sit cross legged or table post, first inhale through your nose, then open your mouth wide, pull your tongue out stretching it down toward your chin. Exhale forcefully with a “ha” sound that comes deep from within. Breathe normally for a few moments.
There are so many different types of breathing exercises to incorporate into your practise and daily routines and all of them have many incredible benefits. Using these breath techniques as a self care practice can radically change your life, opening you up to new possibilities and a new lease of life, and the most incredible thing is that your breath is a super power. 

To learn more about the breath and it’s benefits join one of our teacher trainings where we go deep into the power of the breathe and breathing correctly