You're viewing the archived Hearts Center Forum.

When you attend a yoga class, you will notice attention being drawn to the breath. “Inhale. Exhale. On the inbreath, the abdomen expands; on the outbreath, the belly button draws toward the spine.” The instructor encourages conscious breathing to flow with the execution of the postures. But never mind if it first seems confusing, the important thing is to breathe with awareness. Controlled breath increases oxygen consumption, relaxes the body and calms the mind. James Hewitt, author of The Complete Yoga Book states: “Some writers put forward the theory that as master Yogins breathe more slowly (though more efficiently) than the average citizen, therefore they live longer.....This is difficult to prove - but it can safely be said that Yogic breathing adds life to one’s years, whether or not it adds years to one’s life.”