Yogic Breathing

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Yoga Shvasana

Yogic breathing is an ideal breathing technique through which our lungs can inhale and exhale at optimum level. Though the practice is an elementary breathing technique but it is involved in each and every known pranayama in texts. Mastering yogic breathing require sincere and perseverant practice for an extended period of time. Only after mastering yogic breathing one should attempt to learn traditional pranayamas. This practice can either be done in sitting or lying down position.

Techniques:

• Sit straight in a comfortable meditative posture
• Keep the spine, neck and head in straight line
• Place right palm at sternum and left palm at the navel
• Softly close the eyes
• Bring the awareness at prevailing breathing pattern
• Follow the breath till it becomes natural and comfortable
• Slowly start inhaling from stomach
• Then inhale in the middle part of the torso
• At last, pulling the collar bones up and expanding the chest, fill maximum air in the lungs
• To exhale first contract chest, followed by the upper torso
• Without straining, try to breathe in a relaxed and comfortable manner

Contraindications:

• Forceful breathing
• Any respiratory disorder

Benefits:

• Rectifies opposite or shallow breathing problems
• Improves inhalation and exhalation capacity
• Strengthens respiratory muscles
• Increases vitality and concentration
• Purifies blood