Importance of Breathing in Yoga
Whether you are new to yoga or not, you have probably noticed how each exercise or yoga pose is often paired with breathing exercises. This breathing element, known in Sanskrit term as Pranayama, is vital during yoga practice and also enriches the benefits that is experienced in your practice. Read on below to find out what proper breathing does to your body and methods you need to learn.
Introduction to Pranayama
Pranayama is one of five basic yoga principles that you must learn before starting your practice. Learning the right breathing techniques is important to provide adequate supply of oxygen to your blood, which in turn revitalize your body and mind. Indeed, breathing is a form of art that you need to master of one wishes to enjoy the rich benefits that yoga has to offer.
But more than just the execution of proper techniques, breath control is an essential component during yoga practice. In the case of yoga, breathing also enables you to release tension, calm your mind, and regain focus on proper execution of poses. It is for this same reason why breathing is vital during meditation.
Importance of Oxygen
At its core, breathing and the intake of oxygen to your body is important for two general reasons. First, breathing provides your vital organs with enough amount of oxygen. And second, it allows your body to naturally get rid of harmful toxins.
But why is oxygen so important in the first place? The travel of oxygen all throughout your body is vital in the assimilation of essential nutrients throughout the body. These nutrients are important to ensure proper function in your brain, nerves, and your internal organs. If there is not enough supply of oxygen, it will lead to a degradation of your body function.
Oxygenation of Your Blood
Purifying your blood stream is important for your body to produce more energy and increase vitality. One of the best ways to achieve that is by increasing the supply of oxygen that goes into your bloodstream. You can perform yoga breathing exercises to saturate your blood with its much needed oxygen.
The biggest source of energy in the body, aside from the nutrients coming from your food, is from the oxygen that you breathe. But the biggest benefit that can be enjoyed by increasing supply of oxygen to the blood has got to be the mind purification, apart from the physical health benefits.
Why Must You Avoid Shallow Breathing?
Below are some of the reasons why you need to avoid shallow breathing when doing yoga:
- It reduces your level of vitality due to the lowering of oxygen that goes into your body.
- It makes you more susceptible to diseases since oxygen in your blood can promote healthy cells that fight causes of disease.
- It does not maximize the full capacity of your lungs.
- There is poor oxygen supply in your body, which could result to acute circulation blockage.
Breathing Through The Nose
The most effective method for healthy breathing, according to yoga experts, is breathing through your nose. Although it seems like an obvious thing, it is such a natural act that people neglect it and most even breath through their mouth. By doing so, you can be at risk of damaging your thyroid gland. In addition, breathing through your mouth will promote the presence of pathogens that enter your lungs. There are various defense mechanisms built through your nose to enable it to protect against air impurities and other harmful microorganisms.
But going back to the yogic perspective, breathing through your nose enables you to gain the Prana (energy) in the air. Aside from the ability to increasing your life span by promoting health through the proper method of yoga breathing, it also enables you to attain higher level of spiritual consciousness.

