Yoga isn't just a series of poses and postures to stretch out and strengthen the body; it's an energetic practice through breath. Breathing properly can calm the mind and the autonomic nervous system, bringing down stress and improving well-being. Most breathing in yoga is very deliberate, following the flow of poses. It also tends to focus on breathing through the nose, though some traditional techniques employ exhaling through the mouth.
Identification
Breathing is a very important part of a yoga practice. It involves breathing much more deeply than usual, in turn bringing more oxygen to your system, according to Georg Feuerstein in the book "Yoga for Dummies." Yoga teachers often encourage deep belly breathing, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, making an audible sound. This is relaxing to the body -- especially the mouth, jaw and shoulders. Still, yoga generally focuses on breathing both in and out of the nose.
Purpose
There are several reasons there is less breathing through the mouth and more through the nose in yoga. According to yoga teacher Sudha Carolyn Lundeen in a Yoga Journal article, nose breathing performs more than 30 functions, from smell to filtering out dirt and bacteria and warming incoming air. Lundeen also says that breathing in and out of the nose stimulates the olfactory nerve and eventually affects the area considered the "third eye." This calms the body and mind and is believed to connect to the intuition.
Types
Many different forms of breathing in yoga include both nose and mouth breathing. A common one used in yoga classes is the "om" breath, in which you inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth while breathing the word "om." Another sound breath used in yoga that includes exhaling through the mouth is called "Victorious Breath," according to author Larry Payne in "Yoga Rx." Here, you inhale deeply and exhale by making the sounds of "haaaa" at the back of your throat.
Considerations
Different yoga teachers teach varied approaches to postures and breathing techniques. One yoga teacher may not believe in any breathing through the mouth, instructing you to keep it closed. Another may incorporate many opened-mouth breath options. If you feel lightheaded from focused breathing while in a yoga class, let the teacher know immediately. If you're practicing at home, return to your normal rate of breath until you feel better, or seek assistance.
References
- "Yoga For Dummies"; Georg Feuerstein; 2010
- Yoga Journal: How to Exhale in Pranayama
- "Yoga Rx"; Larry Payne; 2002
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