Pranayama – Breath Control
Let’s start off with trying to answer this – we have been breathing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year since the day we graced the planet. I would confidently say we all know how its done.
Fair?
Then we walk into a yoga class and one of the hardest components is the breathing.
If you are relatively new and that is how you feel then before I even dive into this aspect fo the practice I would say try not to think, just let the breath come and go. Don’t worry just yet about moving on the exact breathing queue of your teacher, instead just find you own rhythm, an easy inhale & exhale, and move with that. You will find, believe it or not, that you naturally pick up the intentional inhales and exhales – even throughout the transitions you will learn to move at that pace.
I appreciate that right now when your teacher counts what seems to be the longest inhale known to man it feels like your lungs are going to explode, but trust me, you will learn to breathe & move with that count.
Regulating our inhalations, exhalations and retaining the breath are exercises that help focus and move us towards a space for meditation. Initially we are just controlling the breathing system but with time we are trying to recognise and strengthen the connection between our breath, our body, our mind and our emotions.
Not only is there an immediate feeling of uplift / rejuvenation but we are improving circulation and the capacity of our respiratory system – which together promote a whole load of health benefits.
You can practice as a stand alone exercise – and in fact I will add a short seated breathing class to our online platform this week – or you can become more conscious in daily activities such as walking, running or of course you can take yourself to a yoga class.
Now the first half of these 8 were the warm up – they’re a bit easier to wrap our heads around. We are looking at the world around us, inwards to ourself and starting to gain control and greater awareness for what comes next > our mind, its ability to concentrate and movement closer towards and further beyond this space for meditation.
I have a little something before you go:
- Stop what you are doing. We are going to take 5 deep breaths.
- A big inhale through the nose. Hold for 1 – 2 – 3. A big loud exhale out through the mouth – 5 times.
Now tell me you don’t feel energised, uplifted? Thought so.
The breathe is a biggie!
Jess x
