| Whew! After the holidays, we all need a breath of | | | | cavity (upper lung) Nasal passages (nose and |
| fresh air! And, why not do it correctly and with | | | | throat) |
| intention? | | | | How to implement the yogic breath: Sit in a |
| One way to relax and rejuvenate after, or even | | | | comfortable chair with your back straight and |
| during, a hard day is to use Yogic breath to | | | | your feet on the floor. You may sit on the floor |
| cleanse the body of toxins, get oxygen to all the | | | | with legs crossed or out in front of you. We tend |
| cells of our body and simply calm down. | | | | to get distracted by our surroundings because the |
| Yogic breath is an exercise used by Yogis as a | | | | mind wants to stay busy darting from one |
| part of meditation and relaxation. It can | | | | thought to another. Closing your eyes will help you |
| transmute and release fear and muscle | | | | relax and focus within. |
| contraction whenever you feel tense or nervous. | | | | Place one hand on your abdomen and the other |
| It is a completely natural and normal way of | | | | on your chest. |
| breathing for an infant. | | | | Fill the abdomen and allow it to expand and push |
| What are the effects? | | | | your hand outward as you breathe in. |
| When a person is stressed or fearful, it causes a | | | | After filling the abdomen, let the breath continue |
| person's breathing to become shallow. Many times | | | | to rise into your chest cavity expanding the rib |
| we even hold our breath as a reaction to stress | | | | cage, pushing your hand outward and lifting your |
| or fear. This in turn causes the body to contract, | | | | shoulders. |
| tense up and block the flow of energy. Yogic | | | | Then fill the throat and nose and all nasal |
| breathing helps reduces the impact of stress and | | | | passages with air. On the exhale, release the |
| improves brain function. Used regularly it can help | | | | breath in reverse order: nasal, chest, then |
| remove and dissipate the fear mechanism in your | | | | abdomen. This is one breath. |
| life. | | | | Repeat for five minutes or until you feel relaxed. |
| There are three distinct areas of your body used | | | | If you feel like sighing, humming or groaning, allow |
| in each yogic breath: | | | | it as a normal part of the releasing process. |
| Abdominal area (lower lung and diaphragm) Chest | | | | |