There are a number of different exercises we can do with the breath, and they have a range of affects on our minds, our bodies, and our energies. Some pranayama serve to lift our moods, increasing our energy levels and our heart rates. These exercises can be a great way to start a busy day, start to warm the body before an intense physical activity, or give us a boost during a post-lunch slump. Conversely, there are practices that are cooling in their effect – triggering the body’s relaxation response and preparing our minds for quiet time or as bedtime approaches. These practices can also be useful if you wake during the night and have trouble getting back to sleep.
Some of the most simple exercises to master are those with a balancing effect. These are ideal starting points, and can be used any time to calm or pep up – whichever is needed to bring the body back towards a balanced equilibrium.
Breathwork can be just one part of a yoga or meditation class – and indeed an awareness of breath and a connection between breath and movement are key features of many of our classes. However, a dedicated pranayama practice is also available (both with and without the use of mudra – see an explanation of mudra here). Below are some examples of pranayama/breathwork practices available with Eastern Hope Yoga.
Breathing Technique –
Ok, so put your hand up if you think that this far into your life you’re probably something of an expert when it comes to breathing. Yeah… that’s what I thought too. But with such a potentially powerful phenomena such as breathing, small changes can bring incredible results, and the sad fact is that few of us know how to use our breath optimally – especially in Western societies.
For example, a lot of people breathe faster than is ideal, and this can impact on our ability to handle stress. Many people are what are known as ‘reverse breathers’, puffing up the chest on the inhale, using a mere 20% of their lung capacity as a result. Others breathe through their mouths – particularly when inhaling – and this increases the risk of hyperventilation and lowering of energy levels.
With an exploration of your own technique and the completion of some simple exercises, we can rectify any issues present and you can take a massive step towards improving your body’s balance and your overall wellbeing.
Breathsensing –
Breathsensing is where we observe, experience and regulate our breathing patterns. It’s a form of mindfulness that begins by following and simply observing the breath without attempting to change it or control it in any way. We then move on to explore the experience of the breath around the body, as a continuous flow of sensation, energy, and feedback.
With minor alterations such as lengthening our breath, and maintaining focus and the monitoring of our physical experience from the breath, we can activate our parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging both our mind and body to relax.
Through attuning to your breath in this way, you can begin to recognise the subtle sensations of fatigue, irritation, and other factors, that can alert you to a need to – for example – set a boundary, make some time to rest, change your diet, or take actions to reduce your stress in some way.
NB.. Before beginning a pranayama practice please consult your doctor or other medical specialist to ensure its suitability for you at this time.