| For those who are familiar with Yoga, you know that | | | | 1) Sitting, lying down or standing - close your eyes or |
| deep breathing is the foundation of a healthy Yoga | | | | look in front of you, relax your shoulders. Relax your |
| practice. Different breathing techniques are used to | | | | mouth and jaw, point your chin slightly down. Stand |
| open up the body and increase the energy circulation | | | | straight but loose. |
| and flow within each posture or series of movements. | | | | 2) Inhale slowly through your nose. Let your abdomen |
| In yogic terms the word "prana" means breath. Some | | | | and diaphragm expand filling your lungs to capacity. |
| of the most practical teachings of Yoga is this concept | | | | Remain relaxed, soft and open, feeling the deep quality |
| of "breath control". For all of us breathing just happens, | | | | of air moving into the lower regions of the chest. |
| that is to say it is a natural part of our reflexes that | | | | 3) Exhale slowly through your nose, feeling your |
| we don't really need to give much thought to. But, for | | | | abdomen release. Feel the diaphragm slowly collapse |
| many people, the breath is a shallow experience that | | | | while it gently comes back to center as you empty |
| does not come anywhere close to reaching it's | | | | your lungs. |
| capacity and potential the lungs were designed for. | | | | Do this ten times and note how you feel afterward. |
| Deep breathing calms the nerves and revitalizes the | | | | Most likely you will feel a great sense of calm and |
| blood, turning it a bright red. When this relaxation is | | | | peace. This is the essence of what Yogic breathing |
| used in combination with lifting weights it provides | | | | can do for your weight training workout. |
| increased focus, concentration and an improved | | | | Establishing a deep rhythmic breathing during a weight |
| muscle building workout. | | | | training routine can thus be extremely beneficial to |
| Most weight lifting injuries occurred, in fact, when | | | | those wanting muscle building efficiency along with the |
| someone is not centered and present with the task at | | | | increased amount of pleasure that an intense level of |
| hand. They are "in their head" literally, not "in the body". | | | | commitment and focus to the motions involved. When |
| The breath is often referred to as the bridge between | | | | you are able to truly let go of the mind and all the |
| the body and mind. Simple breathing techniques when | | | | fleeting thoughts that go along with it, your training |
| applied can be affective in calming the thoughts and | | | | session becomes one with yogic practice. Your are |
| increasing body awareness. Science tells us that the | | | | more aware of your body and know precisely how |
| brain requires more oxygen than any other part of the | | | | much effort to put into a weight lifting exercise without |
| body. So supplying it in a conscious way allows for | | | | overexerting your muscles. This is really the key to it |
| clarity of thought and the ability to concentrate for | | | | all. You are in control simply by being more present |
| longer periods of time. | | | | and "in the moment" with your workout! |
| Try This Simple Breathing Technique: | | | | |