Correct yogic breathing can help you refresh and rejuvenate your body. Here are two simple yoga breathing exercises on how you can learn to breathe correctly for maximum benefit. Remember, correct breathing is essential to Yoga. Use these yoga breathing exercises to train your breathing technique.
Complete Breath
The complete breath helps to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood – which in turn leaves you feeling more revitalized and your nervous system soothed. You can do this seated upright (spine straight) or lying down.
Step 1: Expel the air
Pull your tummy muscles in gently, and exhale the air from your lungs completely. As you come to the end of the exhale, release the pull, and slowly start to inhale deeply.
Step 2: Fill your lungs
Once you start inhaling, feel the air fill your entire lungs. You should feel your entire abdomen expanding, letting air go into the bottom part of your lungs as you do so. While there may be some movement in your shoulders, do your best not to raise your shoulders on purpose.
Step 3: Exhale slowly
Exhale the air from your lungs again, slowly. From the top to bottom of your lungs. Pull in the stomach muscles again to help you expel the air from the bottom of your lungs. Once that is done, release the pull.
Cleansing Breath (Ha breath)
The cleansing breath focuses on removing any stale air by emptying your lungs fully. This is useful particularly for yoga practitioners with asthma and bronchitis. Do not do this if you have high blood pressure or any eye problems, and stop to breathe normally if you feel dizzy at any time.
Step 1: Posture
Clasp your hands together straight in front of you and stand shoulder width apart.
Step 2: Inhale
Start you inhale slowly and deeply with your nose. As you do so, bring your arms above your head.
Step 3: Exhale with Mouth
Exhale the air in your lungs through your mouth, making a a “Ha” sound. As you do so, swing your hands down in front of you, and then drop them pass your legs. Bend your knees slightly and use your tummy muscles. Remain at this position without taking in another breath.
Step 4: Exhale fully
Exhale again with your mouth and try to push out the last bit of air in your lungs.
Step 5: Inhale deeply
Inhale deeply again, as you swing your arms back up slowly above your head and straighten you knees.
Repeat 3 times.