Yoga breathing for beginners by Margaux Pierre-Bloch

If you are a beginner like me, and you have decided to take care of yourself or learn new things about yoga during this post-confinement period, without having any idea how it works, I let you continue reading this article.

My name is Margaux Pierre-Bloch, I am 20 years old and I am a student at EFAP.

I started yoga during lockdown and I wanted to share with you my discovery of this beautiful discipline.

Yoga is an ancient discipline that allows you to find your inner balance. To do this, it is essential to learn how to position your breathing (Pranayama) on yoga postures (asana).

Prana is the life energy in yoga and breathing (Pranayama) is one of the ways to circulate the energy throughout your body.

It is essential for you to learn first of all what is at the basis of the benefits of yoga, namely Pranayama or the discipline of breathing.

Here's how to find mental and physical balance through breathing, you'll see that it requires a special technique that is far from easy. Grab your favorite towel, a bottle of water, let's get serious!

How to practice yogic breathing when you are a beginner?

When you start yoga, you tend to focus on the asanas and not on the breathing. You get into a position and hold your breath. This is absolutely not how you should do it.

First of all, if like me before you don't yet have the necessary equipment like a yoga mat then get yourself a towel or a cushion on which you sit.

Then, to feel what breathing feels like, you will place your hands on your stomach in order to follow it as best as possible. Try to relax as much as possible in order to have the most natural breathing possible. Easy? So much the better!

Now inhale by inflating your belly so that your inspiration pushes on your chest, your shoulders as well as your neck. Then, exhale slowly while trying to emit a deep breath that comes from your neck to finally deflate your belly. These deep inhalations and exhalations will set the tempo of a breathing with virtues as diverse as they are universal.

What are the benefits of yogic breathing?

Breathing through yoga has both physical and mental benefits that will be an asset in many everyday situations where composure and serenity are required.

Prayanama (prana - life force, ayama - extension in Sanskrit) acts on stress reduction, anxiety reduction, and improves concentration. Indeed, the better you breathe, the better you practice and the better you feel.

Some additional tips for getting started with Yogic breathing

I share with you my way of doing it; I breathe for 4 beats (just count in your head), then I hold my breath for 2 beats (Kumbaka) and finally I exhale for 4 beats. Once you have finished this exercise, I invite you to repeat it 5 times a day to become a pro at Pranayama.

If you need other advice as a beginner, I also invite you to join me next week for other beginner techniques or advice!

Namaste,

Margaux