Breathing comes naturally to people but, like many things that come easily, you may rarely think about it. In the practice of yoga, breathing is studied as a science called pranayama. Traditional practitioners at YogicLogic.com point out that you can live with no food for weeks and no water for days, but you will die with no air in a few minutes. Breathing is worthy of study and the practice of healing and calming styles.
Shitali Pranayama
Begin your breathing in the right posture. Select either the Sukhasana pose with your back and neck upright, legs crossed, feet under your knees and hands clasping your knees, or the Lotus pose, which is identical except that you rest your feet atop your knees.
Start with a simple breathing style called Shitali. While seated, take six deep, slow regular breaths to relax and get comfortable. On the seventh breath, open your mouth and make an "0" shape with your lips. Inhale slowly through your mouth until your lungs feel comfortable and your relaxed abdominal muscles allow your belly to bulge a little. Exhale through your nose in a relaxed manner so that your exhalation takes a little longer than your inhalation. Inhale again when you feel a natural rebound from exhalation, not simply because you think it is time for another breath. Don't force it -- your body knows when to breathe. For a one- to two-minute soothing break during a hectic day, take 10 of these breathing cycles.
Ujjayi Pranayama
This breathing style brings a calming sound to your breath, said by traditional practitioners of yoga to be much like the sound of ocean waves along a sandy beach. Assume one of the suggested yoga poses to begin. Take six regular, slow and deep calming breaths to relax yourself. On your seventh breath, while you inhale and exhale deeply through your mouth, constrict your throat mildly, as if something is slightly choking you as you move your breath in and out. You will know you are doing it when you make a sound similar to a gentle surf on beach. After a few cycles, close your mouth and breath through your nose while you maintain the same tone in your throat. Continue to make the sound as you relax more deeply and complete 15 cycles of this yoga breathing style.
Kapalabhati Pranayama
Seat yourself in one of the yoga poses. Begin by relaxing with six slow, deep regular breaths. On the seventh breath, exhale forcefully and fully. Draw your belly inward while you do this to help expel all your air. Inhale by letting it happen passively. Do not make any effort, but simply allow inhalation to resume when your belly goes back to its normal position. Repeat this cycle 30 times. If you become dizzy, return to normal breathing for two minutes, then pick up the breathing style again at the count where you left off.
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