Breathing is the essence of life and as it is the first thing you do when you come to this world and the last thing when you will depart. In between, your body absorbs roughly half a billion breaths. Apart from supporting life, the mind, body, and breath are so intimately connected that they profoundly impact each other. The way you breathe is affected by our state of mind, and in turn, your thoughts and metabolism can be influenced by our breathing. Yoga types of breathing practices can have a positive impact on our physiology, both body and mind.
For thousands of years, yoga types of breathing have played a significant role in maintaining, balancing, and restoring physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It results in several physiological benefits, achieved through the control of respiration. However, people often overlook Pranayama as compared to asanas in yoga practices. And this post will tell you about Yoga types of breathing and ways to incorporate asanas, which can transform your mental state.
Yoga Types Of Breathing Techniques
Ujjayi Pranayama -Victorious Breath – Ocean Breath
This yoga type of breathing is famous for its soft, soothing sound, similar to breaking ocean waves. Experts say that the larynx vibrations stimulate sensory receptors that signal the vagus nerve because of this yoga type of breathing’s calming effect.
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama- Alternate Nostril Breathing
It involves alternating between the right and left nostrils as you inhale and exhale. This yoga type of breathing “unblocks and purifies the nadis, which in yogic belief are energy passages that carry life force and cosmic energy through the body.
Scientific research showed that if you regularly practice this yoga type of breathing for seven days, it rebalances the overactive nervous system.
Kumbhaka Pranayama – Breath Retention
It involves holding a breath increases pressure inside the lungs, and gives them time to expand, increasing their capacity. This yoga type of breathing allows more oxygenated blood to travel to the heart, brain, and muscles.
Kapalabhati Pranayama – Breath Of Fire – Skull-Shining Breath
This yoga type of breathing involves a rapid breathing technique that energizes and activates the sympathetic nervous system. Elite research has proved its efficacy in increasing the speed of decision-making in a test requiring focus.
Ways To Include Yoga Types Of Breathing In Asanas
Priorities may vary between styles and teachers of yoga types breathing when to inhale and exhale during asana. Following are the few standardized practices for teaching in asanas.
Exhale while bending forward in asanas.
Inhale while lifting or opening the chest.
Pair up exhaling with twisting during asanas. It is because while exhaling your lungs empty, there’s more physical space available for your rib cage to rotate further.
Conclusion
These yoga types of breathing are great to jump-start your asana practice when you feel lethargic or for brainpower when you’re foggy. You must be cautious while practicing yoga types of breathing because the lungs’ hearts and nerves usually are healthy and gain strength with organized and suitable Pranayama, but weakened with improper practice.
