middle ground mindful breathing Mindfulness Yoga

Yoga off the Mat – Breath Deeper

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“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

About Val Boyko

Val Boyko is originally from Scotland and came to the United States over 25 years ago. At "Find Your Middle Ground" Val brings together her experience as a life coach, yoga teacher and mentor, to inspire awakening to the light and inspiration within us all. This blog is a place of exploration and discovery as we all explore finding harmony and peace, in the highs and lows of life 💛

41 comments on “Yoga off the Mat – Breath Deeper

  1. so good to learn and to remember

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Breathing in deeper with every word dear Val ❤

    Liked by 4 people

  3. 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

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Thank you for this reminder, Val. Already breathing deeper just reading this… 💜

    Liked by 3 people

  5. 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! 💜

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Thank you for the reminder. I’m forwarding this to my adult sons. Namaste.

    Liked by 3 people

  7. I love yoga. I’m new to it and it sure has made a difference.

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Yes…dear Val. The breath. Ahhh… 💕

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Learning to use the breath is one of the best things I’ve learned from yoga. Such a useful tool!

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Breathe deep.
    Aah . . . that’s better!

    Liked by 3 people

  11. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. 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 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

  13. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

  14. 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. 🌺

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Breathing deep does the magic..☺️☺️

    Liked by 4 people

  16. Ah, thank you for reminding me of the power of deep breaths, Val!

    Liked by 5 people

  17. I love the magic of life lessons “off the mat” from yoga!

    Liked by 4 people

  18. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Namaste! Always remember to breathe!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: Yoga off the Mat – Breath Deeper — Find Your Middle Ground

  21. I love how my body feels after yoga!

    Liked by 2 people

  22. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Very important! I try to keep my yoga practice when I go to work (server).

    Liked by 2 people

  24. Beautiful!

    Liked by 2 people

  25. thanks for sharing this post.
    Yoga is a very powerful weapon for fight stress.

    Liked by 2 people

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