Yoga Breathing

Yoga Breathing - The ancient yoga secrets hidden in your breath.

In an ancient story five vital functions in the body were arguing over which was the most important.

The breath, the speech, the eyes, the ears and the mind couldn't agree on who was the most important so they came up with a plan.

Each would leave the body for a year then come back and see how the body got on without that function.

The first year speech left and upon its return the four other vital functions said "We've been dumb for a year, unable to speak. But we've been getting by breathing with the breath, seeing with the eyes, hearing with the ears, thinking with the mind. It's good to have you back."

The next year the eyes left for a year and when they returned asked how it had been without them – sure the body's life would be plunged into misery without sight.

The other vital functions said "We've been completely blind for a year, in total darkness - unable to see a thing. But we've been getting by breathing with the breath, talking with speech, hearing with the ears, thinking with the mind. It's good to have you back."

Then the ears went on their one year hiatus. When the ears returned they asked what life had been like without them.

The other vital functions said "We've been deaf as a post for a whole year. Couldn't hear a thing. But we've been getting by breathing with the breath, seeing with the eyes, talking with speech, thinking with the mind. It's great to have you back."

Then the mind took a year away from the body, came back and asked how things had went.

The other vital functions said "Without you we've been stupid unable to think, unable to know a thing. But we've been getting by breathing with the breath, seeing with the eyes, talking with speech, hearing with the ears. It's great to have you back."

Finally the breath was ready to leave for a year.

When realization dawned on the other functions of the body what would happen if there was no breath for a year - or even just a day they begged the breath...

"No, no don't leave!! We've been fools," they said. "We can't live without you. You are the most important function in the body by far!"

So breathing is a core fundamental to life.

Breathing in allows air to enter your body, filling your lungs and bringing oxygen to the millions of cells all over your body.

Breathing out expells carbon dioxide and other wastes.

And if you stop breathing long enough that can be somewhat fatal.

Of course we all know our breath is vital to life but few of us realize how breath can become a powerful tool for enhancing the awareness of our body and our health.

Your breath is a wonderful messenger.

It helps you key into things you may not have noticed in your body.

If you find that smooth steady breath that's powerful and easy it can be an indicator that you're doing something well.

Likewise, your breath offers another perspective when things aren't going so well.

Is your breath full, smooth and easy, or choppy, strained and tense?

Agitated breathing is a sign that something is wrong.

So if you have the signs that something is amiss, what can you do?

Sometimes the remedy is clear. Perhaps it's a simply case of overexerting, in which you should just back-off. Or maybe it's more subtle...

Are you holding tension in your body?

Your shoulders, neck and jaw are often places we tighten up – either when we're under stress or as a matter of habit.

How are you supporting yourself?

Is the placement of your feet causing strain on your knees? Is the placement of you arm causing pain in your wrist?

Learn what your comfortable and stable range of movement is and work from there.

Of course, you could also be carrying some tension or patterns from life – such as a stiff back from sitting too long. Be aware of it and find ways to unwind the pain or compensate for it being there.

If you have pain or discomfort from an injury, be sure to understand the effects of your practice on the injury – it's best if practice supports healing rather than aggravating your injury.

When in doubt, seek the assistance of your doctor or therapist. The same is true for chronic conditions.

The awareness you cultivate in yoga will go a long way toward helping you avoid irritating injuries or chronic conditions in the future.

Perhaps those caution messages in your body or breath are pointing to your mind.

Are you holding on to distress, saddness, or pain?

Is your mind racing around – going over a problem at work or in your love life?

If your mind is the current source of tension acknowledge the distraction and bring your attention back to your body and breath.

Bringing your attention back to your existience, right now, will gradually ease the suffering from your mind.

Look for the smooth breath, the at-ease body, and feeling of well-being within. It is there – sometimes you just need to pay attention for it to unfold.

One of the simplest ways to relax is to simply bring awareness to your breath and take three very slow, deliberate breaths.

Try it right now.

Breathe in becoming aware first of the feeling of air filling your lungs then the feeling throughout your whole body.

Listen to the sound of your breath.

Hold your breath for a second or two then slowly breath out.

Stay focused on the sound and feel of your slow, methodical breathing – the smell of air passing through your nose.

As you breathe in again observe how your spine moves, how your chest or your belly rises.

Observe the sensation throughout your body as you breathe out.

Notice the feeling from the top of your head, to your fingers, to the tips of your toes.

On your third long deep breath imagine you're breathing in pure, relaxing light and as you breathe out imagine all the stress and tension leaving your body being swept away on a gentle breeze.

You don't have to wait for a yoga class to relax or to use the core fundamental of breathing.

Remember that every part of your every day life is your yoga practice.

And you can bring attention to your breathing any time you please.

You can slow down your breathing, take long deep breaths or just be aware of your breathing as an impartial observer.

The ancient yoga secret of breathing is yours to use whenever you want.

You can discover more of the ancient yoga secrets to modern healing in the links below...

Yoga Breathing
FREE audio of the ancient yoga secrets hidden in your breath and more ancient yoga secrets to modern health.