Have you ever wondered why it is when you feel upset you find yourself huffing, or sucking in deep breaths? Maybe you haven't thought about it. There are great reasons TO think about it though.
There is power in the directed flow of breath, or life-force – also known as pranayama. Directed breath has the ability to bring focus, calm the body and mind, and to bring about healing. The huffing, or sucking in deep breaths is an instinctive way to calm your system.
Recently in our teacher training course, our instructor informed us that we were going to present a workshop where we would have the opportunity to teach a pose, demonstrate a pose, assist and adjust poses for those attending. In the final hour before our workshop, we broke up into pairs to practice. The tension in the room was high – we were all nervous. With only 20 minutes left, our instructor asked us to come together on our mats where she led us in a moving meditation – pranyama being the key element. The change in to room was evident. There was a deep peace that settled over us and we were able to carry that feeling into the workshop with us. I was able to do my part of the presentation feeling much calmer. It was an amazing experience.
As you increase your ability to stay connected with your breath, your yoga practice will greatly improve and so will your everyday experiences. Work on cultivating a higher level of awareness and connection off the mat. You can develop the ability to maintain a sense of calm control wherever you are – in heavy traffic, taking your kids to the pool, facing a deadline, or whatever the challenge is at hand – take the time to practice pranayama and see what healing it bring to your soul.
Learn more about pranayama here: On Your Mat
Learn more about pranayama here: On Your Mat
