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Yoga Breathing Techniques

When carrying out your yoga routine it is not very relevant what you put on or where you perform it, but, however, details such as what you ate that day, the manner in which you breathe and your attitude towards the yoga exercise can make the difference.

You might be wondering why such a simple and common thing like breathing can become an element which can make the difference in a yoga session. Well, first of all you have to know that by the process of breathing we provide our bodies with the necessary quantities of oxygen that we all need, in order to be able to survive. Moreover, the breathing process is also vital because it is an efficient way of getting rid of the toxins in our body.

While flowers need water in order to develop and to grow properly, one of the vital nutrients for the human beings is oxygen. It is important both for the nervous system, as well as for a series of internal organs and glands. However, the organ which must by all means be irrigated is the brain, as if it is not provided the necessary quantity of oxygen, it might cause the degradation of various other organs.

Now that we enumerated at least a few of the main causes for which we have to ensure sufficient oxygen quantities to our body, let's talk about the healthy ways of breathing. Although breathing is an activity that we do not learn how to do, we sometimes restrict or modify the way we perform this action and it can only result in negative effects for us. Thus, it has become common for people to assume, because of the jobs they perform, for example, weird positions, which diminish the capacity of the lungs and make breathing intervals shorter.

Both specialists, as well as yoga practitioners agree that there is a close connection between the mental state and the manner in which a particular person breaths. Thus, in order to achieve the perfect state of harmony between the body and the soul, yoga trainers organize sessions dedicated completely to teaching the proper breathing techniques, which highly contribute to reaching the desired stage of peacefulness and synchronization between the inner and the outer self.

Yoga breathing does not encourage shallow and fast breathing, but tries to promote the benefits of deep breathing. Among the most important beneficial effects of this manner of breathing we can enumerate:

• Improvement of health and brain irrigation systems.
• Rejuvenation of the skin, which becomes considerably smoother, while facial wrinkles are gradually eliminated.
• Deep breathing leads to stronger lungs and to a healthier heart.
• Relaxation of the body and mind.

Pranayama

Without the proper breathing techniques yoga is no more than a series of acrobatic exercises. In order to explore the full benefits of all yoga practices you have to realize that deep breathing may bring a new sense to the way you perceive your life and actions. The oxygen we inhale helps the body assimilate the nutrients we eat. While exhaling we are eliminating unwanted carbon dioxide that is toxic for our bodies.

Prana is the name yoga gives to life force, a combination of attributes from the spheres of spiritual and physiological elements. Air is the main fuel for this life force. This is why mastering the intake and output of air is essential in order to experience the maximum positive effects of yoga practices. Remember that breathing is also a factor that contributes to our mental status. A fast and irregular breathing may make our mind anxious and stressed while a calm and deep breath can bring stillness and power to focus.

Maximizing the benefits of the prana is one of the things yoga stresses on. Pranayama is the art of mastering your breath to help you achieve above average results from your mind and body. Yogis use Pranayama to prepare for the yoga poses and to achieve a superior state of mind that allows the body to go one step further than the last yoga practice.

Anuloma Viloma

Anuloma Viloma is in fact an Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. The yoga practitioner is actually inhaling through one nostril and then he or she has to retain the breath for a few moments and then exhale the air through the other nostril. As a general rule, our left nostril is considered to be the path of the Nadi, called Ida and the right one the path of the Nadi called Pingala. A healthy person is very likely to predominantly breathe through the Ida nostril for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, followed by the other nostril.

Unfortunately, due to a series of factors related to the precarious health condition, many people have their breathing rhythm disturbed. In their case Anuloma Viloma restores, equalizes and gradually balances the flow of Prana in their body.

Here are the six steps to be followed when practicing this technique:

1. Tuck your index and middle finger into your nostrils, in order to close your nostrils. Your thumb should be placed by your right nostril, while your ring finger and little fingers should be by your left. Now you can start inhaling through the left nostril, closing the right one with the thumb, until you count from one to four.
2. Hold your breath, to the count of sixteen.
3. Exhale through your right nostril, to the count of eight, while you close your left nostril with the little fingers.
4. To the count of four, inhale through the right nostril, keeping the left one closed.
5. To the count of sixteen, hold your breath, by closing both nostrils.
6. Exhale though the left nostril, to the count of eight, while keeping the right nostril closed.

Ujjayi

Also known as the loud breathing technique, the Ujjayi is performed by breathing through both nostrils while keeping the glottis closed to a degree. This technique is used in order to increase your control over the activity of your lungs. It also functions as a method of clearing the throat. The name comes from the fact that the air passing through the partially closed glottis makes a constant and fluent sound. Yogis try to eliminate nasal sounds and to keep the constant flow of air and sound on a harmonious tone.

In order to correctly practice this breathing method you have to use chin lock and also employ the closure of both nostrils. Keep the pause for as long as you can and gently exhale at the end. The left nostril is usually used to let out the air. In case you kept your nostrils closed with your fingers you can simply release pressure of the left nostril and the air will flow out naturally. Simultaneously with releasing the nostril try to unlock the chin and open the glottis to a higher extent.

Inhaling air should be given half the time you reserve for exhaling. Determining the precise inhalation and exhalation times is different for each person but you will probably find this out yourself while practicing Ujjayi. Holding the pause for a long time between breathing in and out might be difficult to do. In time, however, you will be able to hold the pause as long as the exhalation time.