Yogic breathing is a healthy practice for relaxation. Think about the many times you’ve heard someone say, “Now, just take a couple of deep breaths and relax.” This recommendation is so popular because it really works!

Pain clinics across the country use breathing exercises for pain control. Childbirth preparation courses teach Yoga-related breathing techniques to both parents to aid in the birthing process. Moreover, since the 1970s, wellness experts have taught yogic breathing to corporate America with great success.

Yogic breathing is like texting your nervous system with the message to relax. One easy way to experience the effect of simple breathing is to try the following exercise:

  1. Sit comfortably in your chair.

  2. Close your eyes and visualize a swan gliding peacefully across a crystal-clear lake.

  3. Now, like the swan, let your breath flow along in a long, smooth, and peaceful movement, ideally through your nose.

    If your nose is plugged up, try to breathe through your nose and mouth, or just through your mouth.

  4. Extend your breath to its comfortable maximum capacity for 20 rounds; then gradually let your breath return to normal.

  5. Afterward, take a few moments to sit with your eyes closed, and notice the difference in how you feel overall.

    Can you imagine how relaxed and calm you can feel after 10 to 15 minutes of conscious yogic breathing?

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Larry Payne, PhD, is the founding president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and was named one of America’s most respected yoga teachers by the Los Angeles Times. Georg Feuerstein, PhD, was internationally respected for his contribution to Yoga research and the history of consciousness.

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