Yoga is a 6000-year-old form of exercise which not only disciplines the body but conditions the mind as well.
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga training. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
The regular practice of yoga will make you intimately acquainted with yoga. You'll learn proper techniques for breathing which will produce relaxation and stress relief and also help you to achieve better posture.
As human beings, our minds tend to wander into thoughts of the past and the future. However, our bodies exist only in the present. By practicing yoga, you will learn through your breath how to draw your mind back to your body and abandon all of your worries.
One of the refreshing aspects about yoga is that, even if only for a minute, you are able to focus and concentrate on the present, and you are learning to let go of the cares and concerns that can bring tension and disease to your body.
Yoga teaches the practice of conscious breathing while doing poses - this fosters consciousness of your technique and greater mental alertness. By drawing your mind into the moment and forgetting all else, you will garner the benefits which yoga has to offer.
The following breathing exercise is a simple method of practicing yoga that will help you to let go of stress and balance your mind.
* Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and become attuned to your normal breathing patterns.
* Be aware of your breath while you inhale and exhale, counting to four each time. Do this several times.
* Now, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue increasing the count of your breathing until you get to nine. If you start to feel stressed, drop back down to a number that is more comfortable.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere. If there is, try to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you can gain from this exercise - as you can from a number of other yogic breathing exercises, is the capacity to still your mind and relax your body through mastery over your breath. With some practice, you will become an expert at this technique, able to achieve a state of relaxation any time you are under stress and feeling tense. - 20765
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga training. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
The regular practice of yoga will make you intimately acquainted with yoga. You'll learn proper techniques for breathing which will produce relaxation and stress relief and also help you to achieve better posture.
As human beings, our minds tend to wander into thoughts of the past and the future. However, our bodies exist only in the present. By practicing yoga, you will learn through your breath how to draw your mind back to your body and abandon all of your worries.
One of the refreshing aspects about yoga is that, even if only for a minute, you are able to focus and concentrate on the present, and you are learning to let go of the cares and concerns that can bring tension and disease to your body.
Yoga teaches the practice of conscious breathing while doing poses - this fosters consciousness of your technique and greater mental alertness. By drawing your mind into the moment and forgetting all else, you will garner the benefits which yoga has to offer.
The following breathing exercise is a simple method of practicing yoga that will help you to let go of stress and balance your mind.
* Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and become attuned to your normal breathing patterns.
* Be aware of your breath while you inhale and exhale, counting to four each time. Do this several times.
* Now, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue increasing the count of your breathing until you get to nine. If you start to feel stressed, drop back down to a number that is more comfortable.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere. If there is, try to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you can gain from this exercise - as you can from a number of other yogic breathing exercises, is the capacity to still your mind and relax your body through mastery over your breath. With some practice, you will become an expert at this technique, able to achieve a state of relaxation any time you are under stress and feeling tense. - 20765
About the Author:
Learn more about the practice of yoga at Simple Yoga Essentials, a guide to basic yoga exercises that will improve your body, mind and spirit.
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