The role of breath in yoga

I believe breath is the essence of life as well as of yoga.

According to Leslie Kaminoff, the practice of yoga can be seen as “a way of consciously exploring the relationship between breath and posture”. Breath must be coordinated to each asana in order to reach the latter’s full purpose. If we respect this principle, we realise that the posture feels more comfortable and that breathing correctly enables us to go deeper into the posture. Thus, adequate breathing during asana practice is a good way to become more flexible, to protect the joints and muscles as well as strengthening them.

But yoga is also about pranayama, the deliberate and conscious control of breathing via different exercises. The latter enables us to absorb not only oxygen but also Prana, the cosmic energy, the life force. Consciously guiding the Prana in our body revitalises, purifies and strengthens it. It also relaxes the mind. Indeed, the link between mind and breath is significant. When we practice pranayama, the veil is gradually drawn away from the mind and there is growing clarity, awareness of the breath. Lastly, pranayama facilitates meditation and the opening of the chakras.

In yoga there are also the bandhas, the different muscle locks that conduct the energy within to reinforce and balance the body and the mind. We can work on the bandhas during asana or pranayama practice. Anatomically speaking, the bandhas are a support to breath, and vice versa their action is optimal when breath is adapted. Combining breath to bandhas leads to a straight front line and provides more space for movements.

Another pillar of yoga is meditation during which breath is also essential. It connects the conscious and the unconscious. It is responsible for increasing concentration and calming the mind but also for enabling us to stay comfortable in a position for a long period of time without feeling numb.

On the whole, yoga teaches us how to breathe properly and to integrate and balance our breath in our daily lives.

Namaste.

#Breath #Asana #Pranayama #Bandhas #Meditation #Prana