MEDITATE||REALIZE

YOGA AND BREATHING

Yoga, particularly Hatha Yoga, requires you to be
constantly aware of your breath. As you breathe in
your yoga practice, you exercise your diaphragm,
abdominal muscles, heart, lungs and the muscles
that connect your ribs. It is best to breathe through
your nose to filter the air your body takes in. You
should try to take at least a few minutes each day
for breath awareness.

Breathing During Poses
Your breath is an important
element of performing any
yoga pose. Focusing on your
breathing may sharpen your
concentration, prevent injury
and help you release further
into a pose. If your breathing
becomes strained or forced,
it may be an indication that
you are working too hard.
When performing a yoga
pose, make sure you
never hold your breath.
You should try to
breathe evenly and deeply
throughout the pose. In
addition, you should try to
match your breathing to the
way you are moving in a
pose. For example, you will
usually inhale when you lift
your arms, lengthen your
body or bend backward.
You will usually exhale
when lowering your arms,
bending forward or
deepening a twist.