Importance of breathing
Do you ever ask yourself why do we breathe?
A person is born with their very first breath and dies with their very last one, so why don’t we pay attention to it throughout the rest of our lives in between?
Do you ever ask yourself what keeps you alive?
Breathing is this amazing, yet unspoken and free tool that we can you use in so many powerful ways through the day. Can be used to boost your energies, relaxation, concentration and much more!
Funny fact is both a voluntary and autonomic action that our body can perform – Yes you can hold your breath for a certain period of time or change the rhythm of it - but if you stop paying attention to it your body will automatically keep breathing – SOOOO COOL RIGHT?
Here is a more serious question for you - Have you ever pay attention to your breathing while you are upset or under stress? Or perhaps while you are extremely happy or focused?
Well, if you do, you are probably aware of how your breathing changes depending on the situations we are in, what we are experiencing and what you are feeling in that exact moment.
The way you breathe reflect the way you feel and vice versa.
How can regulate the breath and take advantage out of it during these situations?
In Yoga we call it Pranayama, translated the regulation/control of the breath or energy force.
Citing Richie Bostock from his book “Exhale” (which is amazing, I will advise anyone to read!): “Breathwork is when you intentionally become aware of your breath and use it to improve your physical and mental health and performance and emotional wellbeing”.
So here for you a couple of breathing exercises to use on daily basis:
1. Become aware of your breath (perfect way to start your meditation too!)
- Sit comfortably and start to breathe naturally in and out through the nose
- Start to notice the sound of your breath
- Start to notice the movements of your body while you inhale and exhale
- Try not to change the natural rhythmic pattern of your breaths
- Notice for how long your body wants to inhale and exhale
- Notice is you are holding your breath after every inhale or exhale
Do all of this for 2-3 minutes without any judgment – there is no right or wrong. If you find your mind wondering come back to it and start again.
2. Fluctuating breath - For relaxation
- Sit comfortably and start to breathe naturally in and out through the nose.
- Start to notice your breath without trying to change it, notice how it feels flowing through the body for every inhale and exhale and the pauses in between.
- Start to count the duration of each inhalation and exhalation, noticing the difference
- Start to bring a uniform and comfortable duration to the inhalations and exhalations (3 to 5 to begin with).
- Gradually, practice by practice, expand the length of the inhalations and exhalation while keeping them in balance.
- Seek for steadiness and ease rather than longer, deeper breaths, breathing only as deeply as you can stay relaxed and comfortable.
Do all of this for 2-3 minutes without any judgment – there is no right or wrong. If you find your mind wondering come back to it and start again.
3. Kapalabhati – Energising breath practice
- Sit comfortably
- Start to exhale forcefully through the nose, also contracting your abdominal muscles
- Follow the exhale allow the inhalation to happen naturally and relax your abdominal muscles
- Complete 10-20 rapid breaths
- When you completed the exhalations, inhale deeply and fully and hold for max 10 secs at the top
- Sigh out through your mouth and relax
You can repeat this exercise 3-5 times.
*Please note if you have heart/lungs conditions or if you are pregnant you should consultant your doctor before performing any of the exercises above.
I hope this was helpful – Give it a go a let me know how it goes! The benefits will come along!
Again, my aim is to share with you all the tools I know that will help you to live your best life!
I am going to incorporate these 3 exercises to our weekly classes, but they can be used at any time during the day – Whenever you need them!
Here is the online schedule (all GMT):
Monday 12pm – 45 mins
CREATIVE VINYASA FLOW
We move in all directions and forms, we play. This class is a playful and energising Vinyasa Flow.
Suitable for all levels.
Tuesday 8am – 30 mins
PILATES with Nadine
This class aims to strengthen the core and improve alignment and stability through the whole body.
Take your practice to the next level!
Suitable for all levels.
Tuesday 6.15pm – 30 mins
MINI WORKSHOP
Level up your practice safely!
Each week we will be working on a difference arm balance, inversion or back bend.
A diversity of modifications and exercises will be offered to suit a wide range of levels, from beginners to advanced.
(I would love to know what are you practicing at the moment, and if there is anything specific you would like to work on please get in touch so I can plan a workshop around it!)
Wednesday 8am – 60 mins
WAKE UP AND STRETCH
Gentle, stretchy and energising Vinyasa Flow created to nourish the body and the soul.
Perfect class for beginners or athletes looking to release tension and tightness in the body.
Suitable for all levels
Thursday 5.30pm – 30 mins
PILATES with Nadine
This class aims to strengthen the core and improve alignment and stability through the whole body.
Take your practice to the next level!
Suitable for all levels.
Saturday 10am – 60 mins
POWER YOGA
Playful and challenging flow, which includes inversions, arm balances and back bends.
Not suitable for complete beginners.
All the classes are LIVE via Zoomland :)
Option to pay as you go or to join our monthly unlimited membership for only £40.00 (live classes for less then £1.50 each) – I KNOW IT’S CRAZYYYYY VALUE!
7 DAY FREE TRIAL INCLUDED, Cancel at any time with no extra fee.
*Please note you will only be charged after your trial.
Loads of love Yoginis,
I can’t wait to see you on the mat XX
Gigi
yogabygigi@gmail.com