Take a breath, let's talk Pranayama

Hello friendly Patrons,

Before we get into Pranayama, you need to know something important: If you’re breathing - you’re doing it right.

Sometimes, people start talking about Pranayama (breath control) as if you must breathe in a specific way or else every breath you’ve taken has been incorrect. IT’S NOT TRUE. If you were breathing incorrectly, you’d probably not be reading this, walking around, or existing.

So relax - breathe - you’re doing it perfectly.

The fourth limb of Yoga, Pranayama, begins our journey into the ‘higher limbs’ of Yoga. It’s not that they’re more important than the three previous limbs. Pranayama is where we move from the gross body into the more subtle body. Not gross as in Yuck - Gross as in the physical body, while the energetic body is considered the subtle body.

Becoming more intimately aware of our breath can take time. For many people, awareness of the breath only happens during times of stress, and if this is you - it’s okay. We can all break free from our old patterns with courage, curiosity, compassion, and commitment to practice. You already have all those things - you know that - that’s why you’re here.

Firstly, know that some people don’t find slow breaths calming. What’s important is noticing what kind of breath relaxes your mind.

Secondly, you are always using your diaphragm to breathe. If you’ve ever heard something like this: “… And now we’ll begin diaphragmatic breathing…” forget it. Whatever the intention, the wording is wrong. But why? Because your diaphragm is not an accessory to breathing, it is the principal muscle that causes the breath. The only control you have over your diaphragm is timing.

Thirdly, this is not an anatomy post, and although I think it’s super interesting - I’ve seen the glazed-over eyes of students in an anatomy lecture - so I’ll refrain here. You’re welcome. Just know that how breathing works might be a little different than it feels. When you inhale, you aren’t pulling air into your body. Inhaling breath is air being pushed into your body by the atmospheric pressure surrounding you. The force that moves air into your lungs is outside your body. Stop glazing over - think of it this way because it’s so ethereal and romantic:  
You create space in your lungs & the universe fills it.

There are many ways that we can benefit from a daily Pranayama practice. Pranayama can cleanse the body, create heat, cool down, and balance the energies. When we move in time with our breath, it becomes a moving meditation. Retaining the breath can be calming and allow the nervous system to chill. Or not.

We’ll explore some Pranayamas that can become part of our daily life with no more than 5 minutes put aside. Notice what kind of effects you feel after them. If they did what you expected or if you were surprised. Yeah, that means journaling for a minute after each session. And aren’t you worth it?

Pranayama can start to stir things up within. Although we talk about how good Yoga can make us feel, it comes with a lot of shifts, and those shifts can be uncomfortable. We must find the courage and commitment to continue our practice if we’re going to break out of our old patterns. Take breaks, and return to your practice with compassion and curiosity. The techniques we learn in Yoga only work when we do them. Yoga is an experiential practice - the same benefits don’t come from reading about them alone.

You’ve come this far. You are worth it. Stick with your practice. Be curious about what arises without attaching yourself to anything. Whatever rises - allow it to exist, and then allow it to dissolve.

You’ve got this. Breathe through it. In whatever a calming breath looks like for you.

Journaling Prompts:

1. If your breath was a stream, what are the qualities of this stream?
2. Does focusing on your breath help you sit with feelings of anger, and fear? How often do you stop to breathe?
3. Are you holding your breath? Why? What causes you to hold your breath?
4. What kind of breath helps you to calm down? Do you prefer deep breaths or shallow breathing?
5. Are you willing to begin a daily 5-minute breath practice? Why/Why not?

You are all so incredible! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey, and especially, thank you so much for your trust.

Kim
OM