Yoga Breathing for Health and Stability

Most people are aware of the practice of yoga at the least as a stretching exercise, bending and holding the body in certain postures with advanced users able to twist their forms into pretzel-like positions. However, this is only one form of yoga, known as Hatha Yoga. True Hatha Yoga cannot exist in its full form without first learning the yoga of breathing. This is known as Pranayama Yoga.

Breathing is the most basic and important element of life in the philosophy of yoga. It goes so far as to say that life is not measured in units of time, seconds, or minutes, but in breathes. Because it is so important, and the basis of our life, we must learn to breathe correctly to attain the fullness of a long and healthy life. By learning only to breathe correctly, you will release stress, allow for maximum oxygen respiration and absorption, and become more in tune with the needs of the body. Once we are breathing correctly, the mind is also brought into order, with the spirit falling into line in due time.

"But aren't I breathing correctly now?" you may be asking. Most likely, no. During the course of our life, especially in the western world, we develop bad habits that we don't even realize. We breathe shallow and only through the chest. Our breath is irregularly timed and in sporadic intervals. Over time, these transgressions of breathing have become natural to us, when they are anything but. Watch your dog or your cat breathing. Do you see their chest moving? No. You see the diaphragm and abdomen slowly dropping and expanding.

Reprogramming ourselves to breathe correctly is not difficult; it only takes attention. Pay attention to how you are breathing at all times during the day and follow these simple exercises and rules. First, your breathe must be evenly timed. There is a time for each part of breathe. Inhale through the nose for about 2.5 seconds, while it is comfortable and natural. Pause for about 1 second before expiration. Release the breath smoothly, also through nose, and again for about 2.5 seconds. Exhalation is extremely important, especially if you are learning to breathe correctly.

For the beginner, correct breathing best learned in prone position. Lie on your back and breathe normally. Observe your breathe without changing it. After about 10 breaths, consciously change the pattern. Do not move your chest. Draw the air into your belly by pushing down on the diaphragm with your stomach muscles. Feel the air go in as it travels deep into your lungs and pushes your abdomen outward. Release the breathe and gently push it out with your abdominal muscles again. Feel the air flow outward. Repeat this and watch your belly rise and fall.

Next, while continuing your diaphragmatic breathing, draw air in a little deeper until it fills the upper chest clear to the collarbone. Your chest will rise slightly, but should be barely noticeable. On exhalation, let the air pass naturally first from the upper chest and then followed by the deep breathe in the lower lungs, pushed out by constricting the diaphragm and bringing the belly button close to the spine. Repeat the full process again and again.

Now try this is different positions. Practice your breathing while sitting, and while standing. Once you have mastered the technique, try it while walking and during activity. This will be the most difficult. During the day, pay attention to your breathing. Catch yourself before you slip back to your old bad habits. This constant attention is the only way to make correct breathing your natural response to the body's need for air. After several weeks to several months, it will become natural to you. But take heed, even after this time, pay attention that you are breathing correctly. It is so easy to fall back into the old habits.

This simple technique for Yogic breathing will improve both your physical performance and your mental stability. It will bring your mind and body together in line and allow you a more harmonious life. This is only the first step to Pranayama. For more exercises in breathing, one of the best sources is http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/ . You will learn here everything you will need to know for beginner to advanced breathing techniques.