How to Breathe in Hatha Yoga

Though breathing is something we do all the time, few of us do it correctly. Rather than short and shallow, breathing should be long and deep. You can break bad breathing habits, and expend less physical effort in your poses by learning the right way to breathe in Hatha Yoga.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Exhale through your nose as completely as possible. The spongy quality of the lungs always holds on to some of the air, but you want to make room for as much fresh air as possible, so exhale deeply.

2. Inhale through your nose in preparation for your pose. Let your abdomen fill up with air first, then expand into your rib cage, then lift your collarbone. Don’t force it though. Inhale deeply when you breathe in Hatha yoga, but without straining.

3. Exhale through your nose as you move into the pose, unless the pose instructs you otherwise. When holding the pose, breathe in and out through your nose, slowly and deeply.

4. Inhale through your nose as you move out of the pose.

5. Exhale through your nose as completely as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• As described in Steps 1 through 5, always breathe through your nose rather than your mouth. It not only warms the air to your body temperature, but also lengthens and deepens your breathing.
• <br>You should not be able to hear yourself breathing, in or out. If you do, you’re trying too hard. Relax and let your breath flow naturally.
• <br>Spend a few minutes each day practicing Steps 1 and 2. The more you practice your breathing on its own, the easier it will come to you when you are practicing your poses.
• <br>Be patient with yourself when learning how to breathe in Hatha Yoga. It takes time to break old habits.

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