Stress Management with Yoga Breathing

As I’ve said before, yoga has many benefits that relate to life — stress management and relaxation are a couple of those benefits. I have learned to find a deep relaxation with yoga breathing, even when I am not doing yoga. Of course deep breathing relaxation exercises are common for managing stress, so this should come as no surprise.

The In Breath

In yoga, you want to breathe in through the nose. You should avoid belly breathing and rather expand your chest to open your lungs. When you are engaging your core, it is impossible to belly breathe. In vinyasa yoga the breath moves with the poses. When a pose is difficult, you will often find you hold your breath. As in life, the difficult times require you to keep breathing when the instinct is the opposite.

The Out Breath

It is important to breathe out through the nose (not the mouth), and it makes a sound–much like fogging up glass. The heavy breathing in yoga class must seem unusual to someone new to the practice. Ouija breathing, this forceful exhalation, improves oxygen consumption while creating warmth in the body.

You will find this helps force more air out of the lungs. The release of tension with this is clearly noticeable. You think of the term ‘blowing off steam’ to describe this transformative breathing relaxation technique.

Often in class we will do cleansing breaths. They are exhaled through the mouth, often accompanied by a sighing sound. These sighs are timed right after more intense exertions in the practice. Translation: when feeling stressed or after finishing a major task, try using a deep sigh to let go and relax.

It is natural for me to use deep breathing relaxation methods throughout my day without even realizing it. Yoga has helped to train my automatic behavior. I find myself taking deeper breaths as needed without consciously initiating them. I also catch myself when I am holding my breath, and redirect myself to some deep breathing.

A single, conscious breath is considered to be a yoga practice. Being conscious of your breath brings the stress management rewards into your regular day. Ultimately it will become automatic to experience this relaxation with yoga breathing. The only breathing relaxation technique you need just might be found in your yoga practice.

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