How I found my love of breathing through Yoga (Ujjayi Breath)
“Bring your awareness to your breath” or “Connect to your breath” are the first things mentioned before you start any yoga class…
My first encounter of this was so unnatural to me, I couldn’t understand what was meant by Ujjayi breathing and why the breath was such an important part of your yoga practice, but actually without the breath there is no yoga… well I was about to find out how truly amazing connection to breath was and the incredible benefits this would bring to both my body and mind, and how it completely transformed my Yoga practice.
Here is what the Sanskrit names mean:
· Ujjayi Breath: Victorious Breath
· Pranayama: Prana – life force, breath; Yama – control, restraint, regulation
When i first started doing Yoga, Yogis around me where making funny breathing noises and I felt slightly awkward when trying to copy them lol! I realised it wasn’t uncommon to feel self-conscious and weird when making sound with the breath. Like all things Yoga takes practice and patience which I learnt while understanding my Ujjayi breathing.
Once I got over the fear factor of breathing loud, my entire system started to slow down and a sense of calm came over me, I didn’t feel anxious, I felt more in control and able to listen to my mind and body more clearly. I found it amazing that I was able to cultivate these inner resources whereby I can learn to tune in and switch from a reactive state to a proactive state. This to me was already magic. Being able to feel connected to your breath and open your lungs was truly overwhelming to me, something I had never experienced. There are moments now when I have panic attacks or I have an anxiety attack, I always come back to my Yoga breath and it helps me so much just by slowing down my breath and counting for 4 inhales and 4 exhales doing this for around 5 rounds of breath, things become more still and I no longer feel overwhelmed by information, questions and worries. The more I practised yoga the more I connected to my breath.
That’s why when I say in my classes “connect to your breath while in this pose as your breath really helps your mind detract from wanting to leave a pose”.
Some benefits of your Ujjayi Breathing:
· Slows the pace of breath – to help surrender into resting postures
· Improves the flow of fresh Prana (Vital life force) through mind and body
· Cleanses and refreshes the nadis (energy channels in the body) enhancing self-awareness and allow you to remain in poses for longer.
· Enhances memory
· Boosts immune system
· Soothes and rejuvenates the nervous system
· Promotes sleep
· Supports proper fluid balance in the tissues, cleansing the emotional body releasing stagnant emotions held in tissues
· Helps decrease anxiety
· Brings a whole sense on calmness to the body and can be done any-where any-time on or off your mat
· Helps give you a healthier outlook on life
“The goal is to keep this breath throughout your entire practice, but practice makes perfect and patience is the key”
In my Beginners Yoga class on Thursday evenings open these classes with a breathing exercise to really help those who feel a little awkward or feel like they are still struggling to connect to their new yoga breath. Remember I have been there before so I know exactly how you are feeling. I also have a “feel good” Sunday morning yoga class which is great for waking the body up and setting up your day ending your weekend on a high.
Book online - https://www.beyoubeyoga.co.uk/book-online both class as Planet Dance Studios, Solihull.
Written By Emma Blunston
Be You Be Yoga Manager
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