Pranayama is a breathing technique that has many benefits. The many benefits include, stress management, meditation, physical and mental energy and circulation through the body. There are plenty of reasons why one should do pranayama, even if they don’t practice yoga, but I feel the one reason you should at least try this breathing technique is to understand the change society has on the way you breathe. I know it sounds odd, but truly, we live in a world of flat stomachs and what are known as “chest breathers.” The appeal of a flat stomach in today’s society has conditioned us to breathe differently. We are bombarded with the idea that a flat stomach is good looking which has taught many of us (including myself) to hold in our stomachs, even if it is unknowingly. Take a mental note of how your body is right now. Are you holding in your stomach? Breathes more short and fast? Do you feel your chest puff up when you breathe or do you feel your stomach completely expand? These are great questions to find out what kind of breather you are. Majority of us breathe through the top part of our chest. To tell the difference from natural breath and chest breathing, take note of how a baby breathes. You will notice how their entire tummy expands as they inhale. They are taking in a full, deep breathe that truly expands the diaphragm. Pranayama can help you practice this way of breathing.
Oct29
The Young Yogini 