If yoga had a public relations representative, they would undoubtedly be doing a stellar job. You know the vibe: serene music flowing in the background, people gracefully twisting and stretching their bodies, all seemingly effortless. It looks uncomplicated and welcoming. On the surface, it seems like a gentle escape where you can forget life’s chaos, at least for the duration of your practice.
But let’s be honest—yoga often has layers that can catch you off guard. Sure, those blissful poses look beautiful, but trying to nail them can sometimes feel like a workout in itself, leaving your wrists aching in the downward-facing dog or your hamstrings protesting in pigeon pose. Plus, for many of us dealing with anxiety, the idea of finding calm can seem like trying to catch smoke with your hands.
One aspect that’s frequently overlooked is the art of breathing in yoga. You might be thinking, “Okay, I breathe every day,” but for a lot of people, the very act of breath control can be a game-changer. To help us demystify this, we reached out to an expert in the field.
Let’s dive into why breathing matters in yoga—and how it can deepen your practice.
Why Breathing Holds Weight in Yoga
It’s crucial to understand that breath control serves multiple roles. Physically, just like in other forms of exercise, oxygen plays a vital part in sustaining our bodies in motion. Kate Lombardo, E-RYT 500, co-founder and director of Yoga Renew, is not only a certified yoga instructor but also a wellness educator who understands the nuances of the practice.
“When you’re breathing right, your body gets a fresh supply of oxygen, which helps your blood circulate and allows you to move more easily through your practice,” she explains. Think about it—breathing allows you to fuel your movements. It’s like putting the right gas in your car; you simply can’t go far without it.
But it doesn’t stop at just the physical. Breathing also bridges us to the mental realm, especially in yoga. One of the great gifts of yoga is its emphasis on being present in the moment, which can be a lifeline for those with busy minds. As Lombardo points out, when you become aware of your breath, you’re nudging yourself into the now.
“When you focus on your breath, paying attention to each inhale and exhale, you create a connection between mind and body,” she adds, emphasizing how mindfulness can rapidly ground those racing thoughts and help soothe your nervous system.
And let’s not forget, different yoga styles demand different breathing patterns. Do you practice Vinyasa with flowing movements, or do you prefer the slower, more meditative pace of Yin? Each has its own vibe and associated ways to breathe effectively. Recognizing this will help you find what works best for your unique experience.
Getting Started with Breath Control
Let’s break it down: the first step is a surprisingly simple one. According to Lombardo, just make sure you’re breathing—sounds easy, right? Yet when we push our bodies through particularly challenging poses, it’s all too easy to either hold our breath or fall into a bad pattern. Remember, forced breathing can cause stress, too; the goal is to flow with your body, not against it.
Next, try to sync your breath with your movements. It might require some conscious effort, especially if it feels unnatural at first. The idea is to inhale as your body expands and exhale as it contracts. Picture yourself filling your body with air like a balloon as you breathe in and then gently deflating it as you breathe out—that visualization can help make this alignment clearer.
Don’t forget that your breathing style may vary with your yoga practice. Lombardo shared some insights:
– Pranayama, which specifically focuses on breath, involves techniques tailored to different breathing needs.
– In more dynamic practices like Vinyasa, aim to coordinate a single breath (whether it’s an inhale or exhale) with each movement.
– For more tranquil styles like restorative or Yin, consider trying box breathing: inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. This technique calms the nervous system and helps you connect more deeply with your breath.
As you explore further into your practice, you can tiptoe into even more intricate Pranayama methods, like alternate nostril breathing or Kapalabhati—those are a bit more advanced and can add a new layer to your journey.
Breath control can feel complicated at times, and it’s perfectly okay if you stumble along the way or want to stick to simpler techniques for now. The beauty of yoga lies in its flexibility, both in poses and mindset.
As Lombardo notes, “Pranayama, the breath work aspect of yoga, follows Asana—the physical poses. Think of it as a more advanced practice in the grand yoga journey.” So as you navigate your practice, let the breath be your constant companion, guiding you deeper into each moment on the mat. You’ve got this!
