When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is
still, so is the mind still." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
What is the link between yoga and breath, and why is
it so important? Why is there so much focus on the breath in Yoga? What impact
does the breath have on us, and our yoga practice? How do you breathe in yoga?
Breathing is one of the topics in yoga that is
more interesting for my students. Breathing is something that
occurs automatically, spontaneously, and naturally. Breathing is life!
We are breathing even when we are not aware of
it. Along our lives, we develop unhealthy habits without being aware of it and
this leads to reduce our vitality, since oxygen is essential for the production
of energy in the body and in long terms, unhealthy breathing habits increase
our susceptibility to diseases.
In a yoga class,
we integrate focus on breath during slow movements as well as while maintaining
asanas or yoga positions. We are continually instructed to “breathe consciously”, connect to our
breath and breathe deeply.
If your breathing isn't relaxed, your body can't
relax into the poses. If your body isn't relaxed, your mind can't relax. And if
your mind isn't relaxed, you can't draw the full benefits from your yoga
practice. Breathing slowly can lower your heart rate.
It also brings fresh oxygen to the lungs, and in turn, the rest of the body.
Breathing consciously is the essence of yoga as it
assists us in connecting with the subtle energy within. It is through the
breath that we are able to control the mind. Breathing consciously has a
biological effect on our mental, emotional, and physical state.
When you concentrate on each aspect of the breathing
process, you are present; you let go of the past and future and are focused on
the moment inside the breath. When you breathe consciously you activate a
different part of your brain. Unconscious breathing is controlled by the
medulla oblongata in the brain stem, the primitive part of the brain, while
conscious breathing comes from the more evolved areas of the brain in the
cerebral cortex. So conscious breathing stimulates the cerebral cortex and the
more evolved areas of the brain. Consciously breathing sends impulses from the
cortex to the connecting areas that impact emotions. Activating the cerebral
cortex has a relaxing and balancing effect on the emotions. Slowing down the
breath has an impact on your emotional state.
The first rule for correct breathing is that we
should breathe through the nose. This may seem obvious, but many people breathe
principally through the mouth. The nose has various defense mechanisms to
prevent impurities and excessively cold air entering the body. At the entrance
to the nose, a screen of hairs traps dust, microorganisms and other particles
that may injure the lungs if you breathe through the mouth. After the entrance of the nose, there is a
long winding passage lined with mucus membranes, where excessively cool air is
warmed and very fine dust particles that escaped the hair screen are caught.
The olfactory organ has another function: the absorption of Prana from the air.
Breath controls the body, mind, and emotions. There
are 72,000 nadis, or channels where the subtle energy flows throughout the
body. Of the 72,000, there are 3 that are the most important: Ida, Pingala, and
Sushumna.
The Ida Nadi begins at the Muladhara Chakra, courses
through the chakras and ends in the left nostril. Ida is aligned with the moon
energy and has a calming and cooling effect.
The Pingala Nadi originates at the Muladhara Chakra,
courses through the chakras and ends in the right nostril. It is associated
with the sun energy and has a heating effect.
The Sushumna Nadi is the central channel. This is the
nadi that the Kundalini energy travels. It is associated with balance.
One of the nostrils will dominate based on your
mental, emotional, and physical state. They alternate throughout the day. The
science of Yoga teach us how to activate Sushumna for a longer period of time.
This is accomplished when both the Ida and Pingala are flowing evenly.
In yoga we learn to control prana, the vital force
that flows through the nadis. The Yogic
Science of Pranayama teach us how to control the prana trough breathing
techniques.
It is said that if you breathe 15 times per minute,
you will live to 75 or 80 years. If you breathe 10 times per minute you will
live to 100. The speed at which you breathe will dictate the length of life. If
you breathe fast, your life will be shortened. This is why turtles have long
lives.
The Ancient Yogis knew the importance of correct
breathing and developed techniques not only to increase Health and life span,
but also to attain super conscious states.
Therefore, Yoga proves to have beneficial effect on the body if done with proper breathing.
“A yogi measures the span of life by the number of
breaths, not by the number of years” -Swami Sivananda.
With my best wishes of inner peace.
Om Shanti
Amalia Shakti
