How to Breathe Deeply in Yoga

Breathing is one of the most important areas of concentration in beginner yoga. Correct breathing not only helps you to increase the flow of oxygen in your body and expel toxins from your lungs, it will help you to stretch and elongate your muscles during practice. Deep breathing in yoga should be practiced while performing poses, but can also be used as a rest and relaxation technique whenever its needed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Sit, stand or assume a yoga pose and relax your body and mind. It may help to lie down and close your eyes when first beginning your breathing practices. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose. Remember that in beginner yoga, breathing should begin at the base of the lungs, near the diaphragm and continue to fill the middle and upper portions of the chest.

2. Push your stomach muscles forward and your ribs out as you continue deep breathing. At the height of the breath, lift your neck, shoulders and collar bone. While you should concentrate on the three separate parts of your lungs, inhalation should be one smooth movement.

3. Exhale through your mouth, slowly and gently. Begin by simply allowing your neck, shoulders and collar bone to relax. Next, relax the rib cage and actively draw in your abdominal muscles. Push your stomach in, making sure to forcefully exhale all of the air from the bottom of your lungs.

4. Repeat the breathing exercise as one continuous movement. As a beginner, you may feel a bit uncomfortable and awkward at first, but with practice you will find yourself breathing deeply and more easily in your everyday activities.

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