Approaching long weekends do you feel the urge for this very first full deep breath you will take by the ocean or anywhere in nature where the quality of the air seems always so pure? I know I do, very much! The breath, we all tend to take it for granted. Why? Because it is mainly an unconscious process, a biological function that we are born with: we take oxygen in where it is needed in our body, and we take carbon dioxide out. The breath produces energy and nourishes all and every single cell of our body, and the breath also affects the performance of our brain. The breath is vital! Breathing in breathing out… inhaling exhaling… expanding contracting… inspiring expiring… Breathing is extensive, breathing is tightly linked to all aspects of human experience: mental, emotional and physical. When we are upset for example, our breathing pattern is shallow, short and irregular which diminishes its quality, it deprives the body from oxygen and energy (Prana) essential for its good health, and we feel it, we physically and physiologically don’t feel quite right when we are upset. On the contrary, when we are in nature and utilize the potential of our breath with full deep inhalations and long exhalations, we feel relaxed, at peace and in harmony. In everyday life, most people don’t breathe correctly, creating imbalances in the body and in the mind, this shows the limits of the natural and spontaneous breathing process.
In yoga, we develop breath awareness and learn different breathing techniques called “Prānayāma” in order to restore regular breathing patterns. Breathing consciously to be able to sustain a rhythmic, deep and slow respiration reestablishes the natural serenity of the body and of the mind. We can then use these tools not only in our yoga practice on the mat but also in everyday life in many situations: to settle our nerves in a stressful moment or even to regulate our body temperature. The breath is the bridge between body and mind. Once the breath, body and mind are in perfect alignment, we find peace.
The word “Prānayāma” is composed of two Sanskrit words:
*prāna: life force or vital energy (the breath)
*ayāma: to extend or draw out (and not ‘restrain or control’ as is often incorrectly translated from ‘yama’ instead of ‘ayama’)
It is essential that all Prānayāma techniques are practiced under the guidance of a competent teacher, but for any practitioners already familiar with the technique (and don’t suffer from hypertension), remember to practice “Ujayi breathing” this winter to adjust to the cool weather change! Ujayi is a warming breath and quietens the mind, it is a much finer breath and should be very subtle. The technique: it is practiced with a slight constriction at the back of the throat – be careful of not tightening your throat – both the inhalation and exhalation are done through the nose and are equal in duration. Ujayi is also known as the “ocean breath” or “victorian breath”, although Star Wars fans may prefer calling it the “Darth Vador breath”!! Try it and you’ll understand why ;-) Anyway the point is that you now have no excuse not to step out and enjoy the cold :-)