the power of your breath

psmag.com

It's been just over a year since moving to Calgary and I've discovered just how much I love teaching yoga! Watching people touch their toes for the first time EVER is extremely rewarding. Moving mindfully and with gentle, focused breathing is what and how I teach. The biggest aha-moments for many of my students is the power and influence of breathing on the body-mind connection. Pranayama is breath control and through a variety of exercises or inquiries it keeps us in the present moment as we maintain our focus on the ebb and flow of our breath. When you move or simply sit in stillness with your breath, amazing things can and do happen! I had a student whose shoulders were uneven due to a broken collarbone (~20 years) and after a handful of yoga sessions which included pranayama his shoulders were even.

dailydownwarddog.com

The benefits of breathing for mental health cannot be overstated. A few moments spent exploring the qualities of your breath alleviates depression, anxiety and stress. It can be as simple as matching the length of your inhalation with that of your exhalation or slightly less simple as alternate nostril breathing. Start practicing one breath at a time, notice when you hold or restrict your breathing and let that pattern go. To get you started (read hooked on pranayama!) try Bumblebee Breath (Brahmari).

Find a comfortable seat or lie down and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths by inhaling through your nose and exhaling a sigh. Settle in and clear you mind of expectations, preconceived ideas, stresses, worries and anything that doesn't serve you. Remember that it's your intention that's important. When you are ready inhale and exhale through your nose and allow your belly to gently expand with your inhale and flatten with your exhale. Stay calm and think of fluidity, softness, ease. When you are ready inhale through your nose and exhale your breath as a hum. Play around with the pitch of your hum and watch that you don't force it. Notice any sensations that arise. How does you body and mind respond to the gentle vibrations which your humming creates. We are unique individuals and each of us will feel and respond to brahmari breath (and yoga in general) differently. There's no right or wrong, it is what it is and in this yogi's opinion humanity's diversity is inspiring and worthy of celebration!

The benefits of  Brahmari breath include relief from anxiety, depression, insomnia and restlessness, it builds confidence, improves memory and concentration and mitigates migraines. From a physical perspective, Brahmari reduces hypertension and lowers high blood pressure. Give it a try. Take the time to be curious and explore!