
Breathing is the foundation of yoga. Certified yoga instructor, Lindsay Danielson, will walk you through the proper way to breath in yoga. There are a couple different yoga breathing techniques, but they both share one similarity. The similar thing between the two is the way you inhale and exhale. When you inhale, you want to think about expanding your rib cage. As you exhale, you want to think about pulling your belly button to your spine and engaging your core. Another way you can breath when you start to flow is called Ujjayi Pranayama. This means you inhale and exhale through your nose. You want to still think about filling both your lungs as you inhale and releasing through your nose as you exhale. As you exhale, you want to think about creating a little bit of constriction to the back of your throat. It will sound similar to the sound of the ocean waves. The purpose of Ujjayi Pranayama is the create internal heat. This allows for the body to warm up from the inside out. If at any point in time you need to let a little heat go, you can always open the mouth slightly as you exhale. Our body requirements of oxygen differ depending on our actions. Because of this, we need to always be aware of the speed and control of our breathing. Controlling the speed of your breath also allows for you to have a decrease in mental activity. Having the decrease in mental activity is what helps to make the yoga a relaxing and peaceful experience. It is very important to keep these yoga breathing techniques in mind while taking class. Doing so will help to improve your overall experience and relaxation.