Yoga Breathing
This is a kind of controlled deep breathing. When done properly, you increase your level of oxygen and decrease your level of carbon dioxide exhaled as a waste gas, thereby causing a relaxation effect. Also known as pranayama (literally “energy distribution”), yoga breathing is considered essential to the development of meditation, awareness and ultimately enlightenment. By consciously paying attention to our breath we increase our self-awareness, self-control and sense of calm.
It involves inhaling and exhaling through the nose as you pay conscious attention to each inhalation and exhalation. You must pay attention to your normal breaths at first, and then begin breathing deeply in this fashion for at least 5 minutes. More experienced practitioners can continue for an hour or longer.
Studies show that yoga breathing can lead to longevity and the decrease in certain western ailments such as heart disease and high blood pressure. However, the intent behind yoga breathing is to calm the senses and reach a meditative state.
It follows from the overall philosophical dictates of yoga as achieving balance. As implied by the term pranayama, yoga breathing is considered to be an energy delivery system which helps the body maintain energy equilibrium and balance.