Breath and spirit

Your breath tells you how you are doing like no other. The relationship we have with our breath is perhaps one of the most intimate relationships we have. Often, however, we are not so aware of our breath. Only when we are out of breath, having trouble breathing or choking do we notice our breath. Your breath, in Latin “spirit,” literally gives you spirit. To live.

According to traditional yoga and ayurveda, breath and your life energy, your “spirit,” are connected. The ancient yogis measured human life span not in years, but in the number of breaths. Without breath literally no life. You come into this world with an inhalation and leave it with an exhalation. In between, a whole life: your life.

What we experience in life as human beings we store in the form of memories. And based on those memories, we make choices in new situations. Memories that we may not always be aware of anymore, but are the compass. Memories can be cognitive and can also be stored in our bodies. That which we store in our system helps us respond to unsafe situations by recognizing them. However, sometimes the reactions based on what you have stored are no longer relevant or supportive, but your system has not yet integrated this knowledge. It can then hinder you from living your life fully and making new choices.

Breath anno nu
In authentic yoga and ayurveda, the breath is an important tool you have to allow your energy, also called prana in yoga, to flow and concentrate in your system. Following that, modern science tells us in contemporary terms that our breath affects our nervous system and vice versa.

Calm, deep and even breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system. It sends a signal to your brain that it is safe, letting your system know that it is not (no longer) necessary to initiate a fight, flight or freeze response.

The stress response is lowered.

Breath and authentic yoga
Through some very simple and gentle breathing principles, blockages, patterns or fixed emotions in the body can be softened or released. As a result, in a very natural way, without forcing anything, space can be created in your system for new experiences and steps. Space for your breath and spirit.

‘Now’ begins yoga
In authentic yoga, physical movement follows breathing. Your breath is the basis for the natural movement of your body. The breath is leading in this so that yoga becomes an integrated whole of body and mind and goes beyond copying physical postures from a yoga teacher. Where the physical and mental power arises from your own sensitive receptivity. In this play with the breath, the mind, your nervous system and breathing respond directly to each other. Each time you connect with your breath you may notice that your thinking becomes quieter. That space is created to be present in this moment. And there: begins yoga. Your yoga.

for integrating prana and breath
into your yoga practice

1.

Your breathing can tell you a lot about how you are doing and what you need.
Do you notice that you are holding your breath, or that you are unable to keep the breath continuously even? Take a step back, pick a posture in which you can. It is the integration of breath, posture and mind that allows yoga to emerge.

2.

“Envelope” the movement with your breathing: Start the inhale and exhale before the movement and make sure you have breathing room left at the end of the movement. An example:

1. Breathe in
2. Only after the start of the inhalation bring your arms up sideways above the head.
3. Close the hands together above the head
4. Throughout the movement, breathing is soft, smooth and even.
5. The inhalation continues for a very short time after the movement has stopped.
   The entire movement takes place within your breathing space.
6. For the exhalation, follow the same steps
7. Are you not saving the movement within your breathing?
   Speed up the movement or choose an easier movement.
8. For advanced yogis: use gentle Ujjayi breathing

3.

Originally, yoga is taught individually to suit who you are.
An expert mentor in authentic yoga can guide you through this personally.

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