Rest in the Breath

 

The breath facilitates our connection with body, mind and spirit during our yoga practice.  In fact, the quality of the breath impacts us profoundly all day, every day.  Rapid, shallow breathing contributes to anxiety, while long, slow breaths encourage relaxation. Posture and the muscles we use when we breathe also affect the quality of the breath. 

 

The following breathing techniques help encourage relaxation by slowing down the breath. While they can be done at any time or place, the suggestions below will help optimize your practice.