Breathe in.. breathe out..
It sounds so easy.. we do it without thinking most of the time but how we breathe can be so helpful in our yoga and also in daily life.
Regulating your breathing can help you find the focus you need, maybe in a tough pose or in one of those moments when you need to find that extra moment of calm.
Focusing on my breathing in balancing poses can be the difference between coming deeper into the pose or falling out. By placing my attention on my breathing, my balance improves and I gain more opportunity for then working on my alignment or coming deeper into the pose.
So next time you feel your attention to your breathing is starting to waver, try these simple steps:
– Close your mouth so you are breathing in and out through your nose only. (Breathing through your mouth can activate a flight/fight response).
– Create a sense of grounding, perhaps planting your feet firmly on the floor or if you are sitting, being conscious of the how your body is in contact with the floor or your chair.
– Feel your breath coming in through your nose, entering your lungs, your ribcage expanding, your belly filling and then be aware of the opposite happening as you expel your breath.
– Try counting as you breath in and then counting down on your exhalation. Start counting to/from 4 and then try lengthening your breath and counting to/from 5.
And smile when you feel the sense of calm.