Breathing right is one of the keys to yoga. In yoga terms, breathing exercises are called pranayama. To get the cells the oxygen they need to perform, we need to breathe effectively. Most people use a fraction of their breathing capacity. When stressed, we tend to use even less when we should use more. Yoga is a way of learning how to breathe deep, and through breathing, we can find more vital energy within ourselves. Here are some of the techniques used during yoga classes.
The complete breathing more than just deep breathing; this is the ultimate breathing form. The shoulders, collarbones, and ribs are raised to get a complete breath, and the abdomen is extended, and the diaphragm is lowered. The lungs are used as much as physically possible. This technique is the base of all the yoga breathing.
This is a breathing technique for cleansing tensions, air passages, and blockages in the chest. Breathing takes place very quickly. Only abdominal breaths are taken, but as fast and robust as possible. The lungs feel like a pump, and all the waste in the air passages are blown away. This breathing is to be used when you feel heavy, and the head feels slow.
While inhaling through one nostril and exhaling through the other, things start to happen with the body and the mind. The breath is held for a moment, ow two before exhaling each time. Inhaling is performed through the left nostril. Close the right one with a thumb. Count to four. Hold the breath and close both nostrils. Count to sixteen. Exhale through the right nostril on the count of eight. Use a finger to close the left nostril. Reverse the order of nostrils. During this exercise, both parts of the brain are activated. This, in turn, leads to a balance between logic and creativity and calms the nervous system.
Complete Breathing
The complete breathing more than just deep breathing; this is the ultimate breathing form. The shoulders, collarbones, and ribs are raised to get a complete breath, and the abdomen is extended, and the diaphragm is lowered. The lungs are used as much as physically possible. This technique is the base of all the yoga breathing.
Kapalabhati
This is a breathing technique for cleansing tensions, air passages, and blockages in the chest. Breathing takes place very quickly. Only abdominal breaths are taken, but as fast and robust as possible. The lungs feel like a pump, and all the waste in the air passages are blown away. This breathing is to be used when you feel heavy, and the head feels slow.
Aluma Viloma
While inhaling through one nostril and exhaling through the other, things start to happen with the body and the mind. The breath is held for a moment, ow two before exhaling each time. Inhaling is performed through the left nostril. Close the right one with a thumb. Count to four. Hold the breath and close both nostrils. Count to sixteen. Exhale through the right nostril on the count of eight. Use a finger to close the left nostril. Reverse the order of nostrils. During this exercise, both parts of the brain are activated. This, in turn, leads to a balance between logic and creativity and calms the nervous system.
See also: Yoga As Therapy: Its Process, Role, and Certification
Brahmari is also called nasal snoring and is quite challenging to achieve. Brahmari refers to a breathing technique where one breathes in fast and hard through the nostrils and then exhales slowly. With a little practice, this breathing technique can help control the palate vibration process and is very good for pregnant women. The soft palate is supposed to lift itself towards the pharynx. Then, a sound close to a humming bee will be produced.
In this exercise, the air is inhaled through the mouth and the teeth. The teeth might be closed or somewhat opened. The tongue tip controls the amount of air coming into the lungs. The air is then exhaled commonly, and the lips are closed again. The sound this exercise makes is supposed to be smooth and gentle. Sitkari is used to cool the body and to get a relaxing effect.
Sithali, or tongue hissing, is a breathing technique where inhalation and exhalation go through the mouth. Both edges of the tongue are curled up and form the tongue like a tube. The air goes through that tube. The tongue tip regulates the pressure of the air. This exercise can be performed in many different ways and variations. The pressure of the air can be soft or hard; the inhalation can be fast or slow. Roll the tongue back into the mouth after each exhalation.
Brahmari
Brahmari is also called nasal snoring and is quite challenging to achieve. Brahmari refers to a breathing technique where one breathes in fast and hard through the nostrils and then exhales slowly. With a little practice, this breathing technique can help control the palate vibration process and is very good for pregnant women. The soft palate is supposed to lift itself towards the pharynx. Then, a sound close to a humming bee will be produced.
Sitkari
In this exercise, the air is inhaled through the mouth and the teeth. The teeth might be closed or somewhat opened. The tongue tip controls the amount of air coming into the lungs. The air is then exhaled commonly, and the lips are closed again. The sound this exercise makes is supposed to be smooth and gentle. Sitkari is used to cool the body and to get a relaxing effect.
Sithali
Sithali, or tongue hissing, is a breathing technique where inhalation and exhalation go through the mouth. Both edges of the tongue are curled up and form the tongue like a tube. The air goes through that tube. The tongue tip regulates the pressure of the air. This exercise can be performed in many different ways and variations. The pressure of the air can be soft or hard; the inhalation can be fast or slow. Roll the tongue back into the mouth after each exhalation.