How to Breathe With Yoga

If you're so busy throughout the day you barely have time to breathe, settle down with yoga. Yoga helps relax the body by holding poses that help you connect to your breath. Your breath is a symbol of the vital energy in your body in yoga, according to MayoClinic.com in the article "Yoga: Tap Into the Many Health Benefits." Consult a doctor before trying any yoga breathing exercises.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Practice the most basic yoga breathing while standing up straight, breathing from your diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing will relieve stress, notes "Arthritis Today" in the article "Yoga Breathing Exercises." Place both hands on your abdominal area at about the level of your belly button, underneath your ribs. Breathe in deeply, pressing your hands out with your abdomen as you take a breath in. Exhale for the same amount of time as you inhaled, feeling your abdomen deflate. Repeat until you are completely relaxed and comfortable.

Standing Forward Bend

Reduce stress as you manage your breath through the standing forward bend exercise, recommends MayoClinic.com. Stand up straight with your feet slightly apart and your knees relaxed. As you exhale, bend over at the hips rather than the waist. Stay in this position for about 30 seconds. Keep your torso long and relaxed as you stretch your body to your legs. Inhale as you return to standing and repeat.

Channel Cleansing Breath

Press your thumb against your right nostril to close it and inhale through only your left nostril. After breathing in, close your left nostril with your little finger and ring finger, recommends "Yoga Journal" in the article "Channel Cleansing Breath." Remove your thumb from your right nostril before breathing back in through your right nostril again. Exhale through the left nostril to complete the cycle. Repeat approximately five times, then breathe normally for a few minutes.

Neck Rolls

Stand up straight with both feet flat on the floor and your eyes forward, recommends MayoClinic.com. Exhale as you touch your chin to your chest and hold for 30 seconds. Relax your neck more and more with each breath. Inhale as you bring your head back to the center. Exhale as you bring your right ear to your shoulder and hold for 30 seconds as you breathe. Inhale as you bring your head back to center, then exhale as you bring your head to the opposite ear. Inhale as you bring your head back to center.