
“Yoga is about changing our habits”. ~Rodney Yee
One of the habits that shows up for everyone as they begin their yoga practice, is how we shorten and even hold the breath when sensation increases.
Holding our breath is a defense mechanism of the human body. It prepares us to react to a threat. However, it increases the tension and stress in the body, rather than bringing it to a state of balance.
In yoga we learn to deepen the breath when sensation increases. We breathe through tension and discomfort and allow the energy to keep flowing, rather than getting stuck.
What a great lesson to bring to our lives!
Yoga increases sensitivity and awareness. It will reveal where the body is tight, where mobility is limited and where energy is blocked.
In yoga we learn to breathe, feel, and where possible let go. Ultimately this helps us make more skillful, conscious choices and allows us to create greater fulfillment in life.
And it all starts with the breath.
Inhalations bring in new energy and help us feel. Exhalations release negative energy and help us relax.
Breath deeply as you move through the highs and lows of life, and make the ride easier.
Namaste
so good to learn and to remember
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It is. Thank you Beth 💛
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Breathing in deeper with every word dear Val ❤
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Love it. Breathe easy my friend 💛🙏💛
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I have read that yoga is preparation for meditation
You focus and relieve all tension in the body, a perfect body relaxation
The breath does not need thought to happen, we breathe without thought
Focused breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system, applying the brakes, calming our nerves
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Thank you Marty for adding to the context here. Our breath is a powerful tool 💕
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Thank you for this reminder, Val. Already breathing deeper just reading this… 💜
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That’s the idea Julie. 😎 Thank you 💛
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Yes…the breath! When I first learned to play tennis, Val, I realized that in was holding my breath almost the entire length of the point! Obviously, I would then be ‘out of breath!’ I had to ‘teach’ myself to breathe while playing. Yoga is so wonderful when you connect the breath with the body. I bet many people don’t breathe as well as they could.
Hope you are well…have a great week! 💜
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Thank you Lorrie! This is such a good example of how we don’t realize we are holding our breath and creating tension in our whole nervous system. Play on and breathe on 💕
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😁💜
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Thank you for the reminder. I’m forwarding this to my adult sons. Namaste.
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Thank you for sharing the power of conscious breathing with your boys!
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I love yoga. I’m new to it and it sure has made a difference.
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Wonderful news Michele 💕🙏💕
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Yes…dear Val. The breath. Ahhh… 💕
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Breathing with you Carrie 💕
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Learning to use the breath is one of the best things I’ve learned from yoga. Such a useful tool!
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The best free lesson around for our wellbeing. Thanks Eliza 💕
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Breathe deep.
Aah . . . that’s better!
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Always. Thanks Nancy 💕
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You’re right, the lessons we learn from yoga can help us in our daily lives as well. I do practice the deep breathing late at night when I’m having trouble falling asleep, or when I’m particularly upset about something. It helps!
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What a great timely post, Val! I have noticed that I hold my breath at times … and I already have a yoga mat 🙂now ‘only’ to start learning and practicing 🙏
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This is so true. I just started practicing yoga, and I always find that I start to hold my breath. I have to constantly remind myself to breathe.
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Good observation and awareness 🙏
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Chris and I remind each other to breathe often these days when so much is converging at once in our lives. Breath is key for sure. Aloha, Val. 🌺
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Breathing deep does the magic..☺️☺️
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Ah, thank you for reminding me of the power of deep breaths, Val!
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Thank you Vicki 🙏
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I love the magic of life lessons “off the mat” from yoga!
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Me too! Thank you Karen.
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I forget to breathe…a lot. I use a cpap to get me going again at night but I hold my breath all day long. Then those around me hear a huge sigh as I take in a deep breath. Good reminder.
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Namaste! Always remember to breathe!
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Pingback: Yoga off the Mat – Breath Deeper — Find Your Middle Ground
I love how my body feels after yoga!
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Since I have started practicing yoga, I have noticed that throughout the day I am not breathing. I am actually holding my breath. So I take a moment and I breathe. I remind myself to do it and I remind others to do it as well!
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Very important! I try to keep my yoga practice when I go to work (server).
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Beautiful!
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Thank you 🙏
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thanks for sharing this post.
Yoga is a very powerful weapon for fight stress.
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Thank you Fabrizio 💛
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