The essence of every Yoga practice is conscious breathing, it is what connects the mind to the body and helps us channel the energy within. Through the breath we are able to navigate through our consciousness and harness its power to invigorate, focus or relax. Yoga stands out against other forms of exercise because of the combination of breath and movement. Movements are co-ordinated with the inhalation and exhalation helping practitioners to find greater ease in each of the yoga poses. This in turn has an impact on calming the nervous system.
The mind, body, and breath are so intimately connected that they can influence each other. Essentially, your breathing is affected by your thoughts, and your thoughts, movement and physiology can be influenced by your breath.
In every Yoga class you benefit from physical exercise, conscious breathing which synergises with your movement to unlock some amazing benefits to the mind and body. Those who do a regular Yoga practice report themselves to be happier, calmer, and healthier. In his bestselling book The Art of Happiness, the Dalai Lama wrote “happiness is determined more by one’s state of mind than by external events.”
Focused breathing encourages calm and patience, slowing down those racing thoughts and allowing you to be present in the moment. Countless studies have shown that Yoga is incredibly potent for managing stress, anxiety and improving overall mood. Yogic breathing boosts the oxygen levels to the brain, sharpening your mental function and unlocking amazing cognitive benefits. This is known to include an increased ability to focus, a greater capacity for learning, and improvements to memory and recall.
Namaste
Libby xoxo