Breathing correctly is essential to staying in good health. Are you doing everything that you can to improve your breathing? Most people don't even realize how shallow and fast their breathing normally is and that illnesses can result from not getting enough oxygen.
There are many Yoga breathing exercises that are done in repetitive patterns to help improve health and mental clarity. If you want to start breathing more deeply and being more aware of your breath and how it affects your health you can do these 5 Yoga breathing exercises every day:
1. Long Deep Breathing -This is usually the first Yoga breathing exercise that is taught to beginners because it's the easiest to do. Long Deep Breathing mainly consists of building an awareness of the contraction and distention of the diaphragm during breathing. People that aren't used to Yoga breathing might have a little trouble doing Long Deep Breathing at first but once you have done it a few times it will become second nature.
2. Breath of Fire - Breath of Fire is primarily a Kundalini Yoga technique that focuses on pulling in oxygen and then rhythmically pumping it out without tensing the abdominal muscles, chest or rib cage. Breath of Fire is similar to the action of a bellows that is used to stoke a fire, and it's usually the second breathing technique that is taught in Yoga.
3. Bastrika - Bastrika is a Hatha Yoga breathing technique that focuses on breathing in a very light, fast and rhythmic way. Bastrika is similar to the Breath of Fire except that the Breath of Fire stresses a much deep inhalation. Bastrika breathing can also raise your metabolism.
4. Kabalabati - This type of breathing is used primarily to cleanse the body, specifically the chest. It is supposed to get rid of stress and tension in the chest and throat and also is supposed to clear the body of mucus.
5. Alternate Nostril Breathing - This is a very common Yoga breathing exercise where you inhale through one nostril, hold the breath, and then exhale that breath out through the other nostril. This type of breathing is usually done to bring balance and oxygen to both sides of the brain. Alternate Nostril Breathing promotes creativity, mental clarity and alertness.
