One of my biggest takaways from Yoga Teacher Training with Bodhi Yoga is the power and wisdom and incredible importance of the breath. According to Yoga history, the inhale before that first OM set the journey of yoga motion over 5000 years ago. I love this quote from our teacher training manual: "The breath is the foundation of every movemnt extension, engagement and release of each asana. The breath holds both the basis and the potential for your practice in the melody of movement through each inhale and exhale."
As I have been able to utilize my breath more through breathing exercises, more presence and focus, my practice has deepened and strenthened and I have learned a fundamental fact that applies in all areas of my life: 'ALL I NEED IS IN MY BREATH.'
We learned about Deergha Swasam breath, Nadi Sodhana breath, Kapalabhati and Surya Behedana breath as well as about 5 others. I will only discuss the fundamental breath of Yoga, the Ujjayii breath. To create this warming breath we seal the throat bandha (a seal at the back of the throat), touching our tongue on the tip of our upper palate just behind the center of the two front teeth, letting the corners of the mouth turn gently upward and make the sound of a yawn with our mouth closed, creating the sound of an ocean tide.
We practice this breath with a soft retention once the lungs are topped off with air. Retention length should not feel labored. The exhale should be controlled Ujjayii exhalation. Again, pause briefly at the bottom of the breath and begin inhalation, followed by retention.
I have experienced that when I use Ujjayii breath during my practice, my asanas are deepened. Benefits also include lowered blood pressure, relived symptoms related to asthma, insomnia, chronic fatique, fibromyalgia and depression as well as regulating stress hormonal release and tone the diaphragm!
As I have been able to utilize my breath more through breathing exercises, more presence and focus, my practice has deepened and strenthened and I have learned a fundamental fact that applies in all areas of my life: 'ALL I NEED IS IN MY BREATH.'
We practice this breath with a soft retention once the lungs are topped off with air. Retention length should not feel labored. The exhale should be controlled Ujjayii exhalation. Again, pause briefly at the bottom of the breath and begin inhalation, followed by retention.
I have experienced that when I use Ujjayii breath during my practice, my asanas are deepened. Benefits also include lowered blood pressure, relived symptoms related to asthma, insomnia, chronic fatique, fibromyalgia and depression as well as regulating stress hormonal release and tone the diaphragm!
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