YOGA LONG DEEP BREATHING

YOGA LONG DEEP BREATHING

LONG DEEP BREATHING
The simplest of all yogic breaths is long deep breathing. It is a habit that we in our western
culture have lost. Our normal tendency is to breathe shallow and irregularly. This leads to an
emotional approach to life, chronic tension, and weak nerves. The lungs are the largest organ of
the human body. Average lungs can enlarge to a volume of almost 6,000 cubic centimeters.
Normally we use only 600 – 700 cubic centimeters of that capacity. If you do not expand the
lungs to their full capacity, the small air sacks in the lungs, called alveoli, cannot clean their
mucous lining properly. Therefore you do not get enough oxygen so toxic irritants that lead to
infections and disease build up. By taking a deep breath you can expand the lungs by about
eight times. If you establish a habit of breathing long, deep and slowly, you will build your
endurance and patience. A long deep breath can bring you back to your center, even in chaotic
circumstances.
Posture (Asana)
Sit in a comfortable meditative posture, i.e., easy pose, with a straight spine.
Nose
The normal breath should always be through the nose. Breathing through the nose filters the air,
warms it, and humidifies it, so that the air does not disturb the sensitive ecology of the lungs.
Most importantly for the yogi, the nostrils are connected to the Ida (left nostril - feminine
energy) and Pingala (right nostril - masculine energy) and therefore Prana is taken into the body
through the nose.
Inhale
Begin by pushing the navel point outward and then filling the lungs with prana from the
abdomen upward.
Exhale
To exhale completely, breath out as much “left over” air as possible.
BREATH OF FIRE
Breath of Fire is a rapid, rhythmic, bellow type of breathing method. This breath is used
consistently throughout Kundalini Yoga Kriyas. In Breath of Fire, the focus of energy is at the
navel point. The breath is fairly rapid, 2 to 3 breaths per second, continuous and powerful with
no pause between the inhale and exhale.
Posture (Asana)
Sit in a comfortable meditative posture, i.e., easy pose, with a straight spine.
Exhale
As you exhale, the air is pushed out by pulling in the navel point and abdomen towards the
spine. In this motion, the chest area is moderately relaxed.
Inhale
As you inhale, the air is pulled in by pushing the navel point forward to bring the air into the
lungs.
This is a very balanced breath with no emphasis on either the exhale or inhale, and with equal
power given to both. Breath of Fire is a cleansing breath which cleans the blood and releases old
toxins from the lungs, mucous lining, blood vessels, and cells. Regular practice expands the
lungs quickly. You can start with three minutes of Breath of Fire and build to twenty. While
pregnant or menstruating, substitute Long Deep Breathing for Breath of Fire.
SITALI PRANAYAMA
Posture (Asana)
Sit in a comfortable meditative posture, i.e., easy pose, with a straight spine.
Exhale
Exhale through the nose.
Inhale
Curl the tongue and protrude it slightly past the lips. Inhale deeply and smoothly through the
tongue and mouth.
Sitali Pranayama is a well known practice that soothes and cools the spine in the area of the
fourth and sixth vertebrae. This in turn regulates the sexual and digestive energy. This breath is
often used to regulate fevers and blood pressure and to cure digestive ailments.