Yoga and Breathing

Austin breaths in and expands his belly as the Hoberman Sphere opens.

As Austin breaths out, his belly gets smaller, like the Hoberman sphere.

Breathing is one of the most important functions of life. Babies breath naturally from their diaphragms.  As we get older and have more stress in our lives, we tend to breath more shallowly from our chests. Yoga teaches children to breath more deeply, allowing the body to draw in prana: the subtle, life-sustaining energy that is taken into the body through air, sunshine, water, and food.

There is a direct link to our minds and emotions through breathing. Wgen we are nervous or upset, our breathing becomes shallow and labored.  When we breath deeply from our bellies, instead of our chests, we can calm the mind and body. Deep breathing also frees any blocked emotions or creative energy. Yoga breathing techniques can also encourage better sleep patterns.

As part of the yoga program, breathing through the nose will enable the breath to be guided more deeply and skillfully into the body. When the breath is coordinated with yoga postures, previously constricted portions of the body can receive increased blood flow and improved oxygenation. Maximal benefits can be achieved by coordinating the breathing pattern with the natural physiological flow of the body. As yoga poses are guided, the cycle of inhalations and exhalations is explained. During elongation and extension of the body a deep inhalation is natural; conversely,  flexing the body automatically expels the breath. As a yoga posture is held for several breaths, deep and even breathing is continued, directing the oxygen into the open and expanding space. An overall feeling of well-being can be attained when a well oxygenated body relaxes. Brainwaves can be altered during meditation and relaxation; since the body integrates information more deeply during this state. Another yoga benefit is positive affirmations imprinted during this state could help to reprogram a previous pattern of behavior.

Fun ways to practice belly breathing include:

1. Using bubbles to control the breath.
2. Blowing on cotton balls to control the breath. First place several cotton balls on your open hand and blow lightly, so the cotton balls stay on your hand. Next blow harder to blow the cotton balls off your hand.
3. Use a Hoberman sphere as a visual to practice how the belly expands during inhalation and how the belly goes in during exhalation.
4. Use a fake or real flower to practice taking a deep breath. Put the flower under the child's nose and ask them to smell the flower. The child will take a deep inhale.
5. Have a child lay on his back and place a small stuffed animal, such as a beanie baby or a webkin, on his belly. Have the child take a deep inhalation and watch the animal rise. Have the child exhale and watch the animal go down.

Austin practices controlling the breath with bubbles.

Caroline and Lily practices controlling the breath with cotton balls.