4/15/2017

Something I never cared about & wish that I did.

I have since learned, it was necessary.

I just simply didn’t understand at the time.

And in the midst of holding Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose) the last thing on my mind other than holding the pose without falling over was to then breath calmly & evenly into it…

(Pause for years of frustration)

It really felt like they were asking way too much of me at the time. I couldn’t even comprehend how to do this completely throughout an entire class. “Be aware of the breath”, “breathe”. I’m going to skip the lovely words that came to my mind when these things were said in class, but the gist of it was I needed more instruction to understand first and foremost: Why breath is so important, AND How to do it properly.

So allow me to elaborate for you how I wish someone had done for me,

THE WHY:

Because when you make your movements for the Asanas (poses) in tandem with the breath, magic happens. Yeah that’s right, magic.

Okay well by magic I mean that the mind and the body begin to sync up. And what that basically means is:

“when breath is coordinated with each and every movement, it then becomes a moving mediation”

You know that thing you probably hate, but know you should try or do more often. Yeah that thing. That’s what Yoga practice transforms into when you make having your breath connected with each movement a priority for the entire class (but in the easiest way possible).

Seriously transformational.

This is the difference between Yoga as some stretching fitness routine VS a spiritual meditational tool that will not only strengthen the body, but the mind and spirit.

Now if the latter does not interest you then you are probably better suited for Pilates instead, because Yoga is first and foremost a spiritual practice. But if you are interested in the latter (or at least open to it) than you should know why moving meditation is such an amazing thing in Yoga Asana practice…

So as we discussed breath synchronized to movements in yoga= moving meditation.

Now to the importance of Moving Meditation:

1. Moving meditation strengthens the mind.

Makes the mind become more focused and calm (quiet). Moving Meditation will help settle any crazy thoughts giving you hell (or at least give you the strength to work through them). This practice helps you sloooooooow down the mind so you can properly see what kind of shitstorm you were inhabiting before you started the practice.

2. When breath is connected you will find much more physical strength as well!

Amazing! Maybe you already knew this, I however had no idea when I started (and the years that followed). Yes, so when you are really focusing on the breath (which shuts up your thoughts of inadequacy, and whining) you begin to find more inner strength. I personally find it curiously interesting how our thoughts can weaken our endurance. Now if these two reasons for some reason haven’t fully resonated with you then there’s another reason I shall share with you,

3. Once this skill is practiced and fully understood through your own experience; then this deepened understanding will follow you off the mat.

Yes, you will become a much stronger person (as stated above), not just physically but mentally in a peaceful way. This kind of mental strength will give you the ability to be more calm and composed in all areas of life. It will forever be a tool you can then turn to when life gets a little frazzled (yes I said frazzled). Best part is that is that this practice of focusing on breath control can be done literally anywhere and everywhere, costing you nothing. Sure I love Bach remedies just like the next person, but breath control is free and easily available.

And now for,

THE HOW:

Now there’s this wonderful thing called the Ujjayi Breath            (pronounced oo-jii)

  • And what this essentially is is a special way to control breath, breathing in and out through the nose with the mouth shut.
  • When done properly your breathing in and out will be very audible, and sound like incoming and outgoing of calm rolling ocean waves on the shore.

(Yes other people will hear your breathing while doing this in practice, and that’s GOOD. Because this is what you’re supposed to be doing while practicing Asana. Stop worrying about what other people think, it’s Yoga.)

  • The key here is the slightly tightening of the throat while breathing in, so it slows down the amount of time it takes to take in a full breath.
  • You should practice this now so you can experience what I am talking about if you haven’t already.
  • Then you breath out with that same constriction in the throat with one large, slow, audible exhales through the nose (with the mouth still shut).
  • Now when breathing out using the Ujjayi breath it’s going to take on the same feel of if you were going to fog up a mirror (but with your mouth closed). If you feel so inclined you can practice this with your mouth open to feel the fogging action, and then practice again with your mouth closed so you now have a practical understanding of the exhale.
  • And now you know how to properly breath while practicing (Asana) Yoga!

Now with all this wonderful information you have attained here today you can completely transform your entire yoga practice!

And don’t forget to thank yourself for putting in the time and effort to learn this magical tool to. You can learn from my mistakes when I say that this breath control practice gives you that awesome “yoga stoned” vibe (as some may call it).

So with this breath control practice (Ujjayi) you will feel MUCH more of the benefits of the Yoga Practice, a much more peaceful mind, and more energized.

Now go out there and breathe audibly with pride!

With love,

Sara