How to Do High Breathing

In yoga, breathing is very important. Anyone who has taken a beginner yoga class knows that breathing deep is very important, but those who are seriously practitioners understand the breath on different levels. There is high breathing, middle breathing and low breathing. Ultimately, the goal when breathing is to experience all three levels with low breath being the most beneficial. This article will help you better understand what high breathing is, why alone it is not a good form of breathing on its own and how to recognize when you're doing it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Concentrate on you breath. Is your belly expanding or your rib cage? High breathing takes place in the rib cage area.
2. Try to stop any breath movement in your belly. Sometimes it is easy if you take shallower breaths. The breathing should take place in the chest only and your shoulders (and chest) will raise and lower as you breath.
3. Notice that you probably do not feel like you are getting enough air, perhaps feeling some shortness of breath. This sensation is similar when you have a chest cold, asthma, bronchitis or if you very full or wearing pants that are too snug.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, this is NOT the way you should be breathing in yoga. This is a component of the complete breath. It is said that high breathing alone can digestive problems. This type of breathing should always be avoided, even during day to day activities.
• If you feel any light-headedness, stop and rest immediately.