If you’ve ever been stressed or anxious (let’s be honest, that’s all of us at some point), you’ve probably been told to take a deep breath. In the moment, it can be hard to do. But science shows that deep breathing techniques are an effective way to immediately calm your nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Whether you’re feeling anxious about an upcoming event or you’ve just had a stressful day, breathing exercises are an easily accessible tool you can lean on to cope. A few minutes focused on your breathing not only helps in the moment, but can have cumulative effects over time: Yoga breathing has been known to improve quality of sleep and mindfulness, both of which can help to improve mental health.
In fact, I became interested in getting my certification in yoga because of the positive benefits yoga had on my sleep and anxiety levels. I no longer needed my anxiety or sleeping medication once I started practicing yoga regularly! I attribute that mostly to the breathwork that I learned in my yoga classes and practiced daily.
What is yoga breathing?
Yoga breathing is more deliberate and controlled than your normal daily breathing. You will breathe in through the nose for a few-second count and then out through the nose for a few-second count, keeping the mouth closed. This is supposed to gather your prana, or energy, and make it more focused. It’s also calming and allows the nervous system to relax.
I’ve prepared a list of my favorite yoga breathing exercises for you to try. Whether you perform them in the morning, before bed or throughout the day (like when you’re stuck in that traffic jam!), you’ll feel a release of unneeded stress and a sense of calm.
Deep belly breathing
Deep belly breathing utilizes the diaphragm to maximize lung expansion. The movement of the diaphragm naturally controls the airflow through your body, forcing the air to move deeply into your belly. Start in a comfortable position either lying on the floor or sitting in a chair. Place…
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