Category: Breath

  • Summer 2016 Allergy continued: disturbanced, sleep, tick

    After the first few days there was a drop in my sense of well-being. An initial blow came when I allowed a disturbance to take places – a visit to the city. I came back feeling tired, with a slight head-ache and agitation. The next day I was somewhat contained, I was able to get…

  • Breath and Allergy – Spring 2016

    A few days ago allergy symptoms started to appear and have been gradually increasing. A itchiness in my throat, eyes … and sometimes sneezing sequences. This morning, for the first time this season, I had to get out of bed at 5:45 to move myself into a vertical position (lying down aggravates the symptoms) and…

  • How to End a Pranayama Practice

    Pranayama can lead to a delicate place, one that is easy to disturb and lose. The inherent structure of a Pranayama practice leads to an ending that may disturb the very delicate quality it created. My practices bring me with two such obstalces: (1) lowering my arm from the nostril control position; (2) stopping the…

  • A Change in Breath

    I found a paper in my Yoga teachers training pile – and on it is a short phrase written in large capitalized letters that cover the entire page. If memory serves, I wrote it down during  a retreat as my teacher was talking. I don’t recall if it was a sponatenous phrase or if he…

  • A Refreshing Breathing Practice

    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…

  • Breath & Heat in Yoga Asana

    There are two kinds of heat we can experience in a Yoga asana practice: a peripheral heat and a core heat. A similar (and easier to achieve) experience can be found in food. Spices like black pepper create a peripheral heat that can be felt in the bodies extremities (hot face, runny nose, sweat, etc).…

  • Alchemy of Breathing in Asana

    This post will describe an experiment that will enable you to experience the workings of the fire within. To proceed with the experiment effectively you should be: Comfortable using Ujjayi breathing in your Asana practice. Comfortable with the basic relationship between breath and movement. Familiar with the length of your breath and how it applies…

  • Breathing Formulas in Asana

    Pranayama breathing practices and Asana practices create a cycle of growth and expansion of (amongst other thing) breath. Ujjayi breathing in Asana develops a strong and enduring breath. Then in Pranayama that strength and capacity is used to refine the breath and make it longer. Then that refinement and length of breath is again carried…

  • Yoga & Breath – Movement in Breath in Intent

    Intent is another step towards a more subtle asana practice.  As breath can be a sheath for movement, so can intent be a sheath for breath & movement.  My teacher introduced this model as “IBM – Intent, Breath Movement”. Intent comes first – for example “I am going to inhale and raise my arms” is…

  • Yoga & Breath – Directional Breathing & Forward Bends

    A wonderful relationship between directional breathing and movement is revealed in forward bends – especially in seated forward bends. It is not my intention to delve into the expansive realm of seated forward bends at this point. I do want to help you to create an opportunity for effectively experiencing bending. To do so I…

  • Yoga & Breath – Directional Breathing & Movement

    In this articles we will be taking a step that may appear small at first, but without it, it would be difficult to move forward and take the next step. My wish is to bring closer together the ideas of directional breathing & movement. The explanation about directional breathing focused on the torso – the…

  • Pranayama Exposes Beyond Mind

    Pranayama requires quite a bit of counting. Counting, repeatedly, for a substantial period of time collects and focuses mind and gives Pranayama a meditative quality. This is especially apparent when each part of the breath becomes longer. But, like most practices, I eventually got used to it. I developed an automated and regulated internal rhythm…

  • Pranayama Exposes Mind

    Over the past week a change has occurred in Pranayama practice. My current Pranayama practice was something like: 10 – 0 – 15 – 0  x8 10 – 0 – 15 – 5  x8 10 – 5 – 15 – 5  x8 10 – 0 – 15 – 0  x8 When my nasal passages are…

  • Inhale Open Exhale Close

    When my teacher first introduced me to asana practice with coordinated breath and movement, I experienced intense resistance in mind and friction in body . It felt more difficult then free movement (which it is), it felt like it was limiting my physical abilities (which initially it was, but that changed over time) and it…

  • Correct Effort in Yoga Asana

    When practicing Asana how do you know how far you can go? How can you approaching your limits without pushing or crossing them? How can you practice without injuring yourself (I’ve heard way to many stories of unjustified Yoga injuries)? Have a quick look at some of the posture descriptions and see what is one…

  • Life Extension with Yoga

    When we are relaxed our breathing is slower – each breath is long and relaxed. When we are stressed, anxious, worried, fearful our breathing is faster – each breath is short and sharp. This is common knowledge. Consider this: An average adult person breathes 16-20 breaths per minute – each breath is 3-4 seconds long.…

  • Contents of Yoga Practice in Phases of Life

    This model offers a perspective on how the contents of a Yoga practice change as a function of age – from a practice that is dominated by asana (physical practice) at a young age to a practice that is dominated by meditation at an older age. In childhood and adolescence the practice is made up…

  • Pranayama with Blocked Nasal Passages

    Many people, myself included, frequently experience difficulties in Pranayama (breathing) practices that involve nostril control. The problem is usually due to some kind of obstacles that block or disturb the flow of air through the nostrils. This can be frustrating for people who want to pursue and develop a Pranayama practice. Fortunately there are some…

  • Nadi Sodhana

    Nadi Sodhana is a subtle breathing technique, a crown jewel amongst the  Pranayama techniques. In Nadi Sodhana breath control is achieved only through the nostrils – so there is no more switching back and forth between nostril control and throat control (ujjayi). If you are familiar with Pratiloma Ujjayi – then in a way you’ve…

  • Pratiloma Ujjayi

    Pratiloma Ujjayi is a longer cycle of breathing that weaves together the Anuloma & Viloma techniques The breathing cycle in Pratiloma Ujjayi is: Inhale through the left nostril (closing the right nostril by applying pressure to the thumb). Exhale with both nostrils open using Ujjayi (throat control). Inhale with both nostrils open using Ujjayi (throat…