“How easy it is to follow our thoughts instead of our senses.”
Frank Herbert

Children of Dune

A Refreshing Breathing Practice

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It is common knowledge that taking a deep breath is relaxing – how about taking a few deep breaths?

For this practice you will need a place to sit, a few quiet minutes and familiarity with Ujjayi breathing:

  • Find your quiet place and a comfortable seated position with your eyes closed.
  • Sit quietly for a minute or two and observe your natural breathing.
  • Gradually move into Ujjayi breathing – let it build until the length of your exhale is longer then (or at least equal to) the length of your inhale. Do this until you have a steady pace of breathing.
  • Count 8 breaths.
  • Count 8 more breaths adding a short pause after exhaling.
  • Count 8 more breaths adding a short pause after inhaling (in addition to the pause after exhaling).
  • Count 8 more breaths without any pauses (like the first 8).
  • Resume natural breathing and stay for another minute or two to observe.
  • Gently open your eyes.
  • Resume life 🙂

If you have a tailored pranayama practice you can ask your teacher for a shorter variation you can use instead of this general sequence.

This entry was posted in Breath, Practice Sequences, Yoga, Yoga & Life. You are welcome to add your comment

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