Category Archives: Breathing/Pranayama

Why pranayama? A personal view

Why pranayama? A personal view
When I came to yoga in 1991 I can’t say that I felt a connection to my breathing at all. Perhaps you can relate to this? My experience of the breath and pranayama (yoga’s breathing practices) in classes was limited and sporadic. As someone who often likes to learn ‘in order’ and develop a full…
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Pranayama – making light of mule work

Pranayama – making light of mule work
'Pranayama is mule work,'  joked (or half-joked) Richard Rosen during a pranayama workshop he led in London. This is how one of his teachers had once described the breathing practices of yoga. Many yogis give up pranayama easily because it is a practice that doesn't initially give as much return as, say, asana (posture practice).…
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3 simple yoga breathing practices for calm

3 simple yoga breathing practices for calm
Whether life is fabulous, frenetic or fraught we can only benefit from a simple, calming breathing technique. In everyday life this fulfils a re-set function, maintaining or bringing us gently back to homeostasis or balance. If we’re feeling a little stressed, anxious or frustrated, our breathing can become shallow, short and irregular. We’d like it…
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Expand prana with viloma breathing (pranayama)

Expand prana with viloma breathing (pranayama)
Viloma pranayama expands our prana - our life force, cosmic energy or breath - and therefore our total wellbeing. Viloma brings a feeling of ease and calm vitality to the body-mind and emotions. As it's learned in stages, it's also safely accessible to all, and a great technique to enhance your experience of breathing practices.…
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