The ancient yogis describe the breath as life force. An integral element of yoga involves nurturing awareness toward the depth and quality of your breath. In day-to-day life, if we are stressed or rushing, the breath usually becomes shallow and rapid, heightening feelings of anxiety. Sometimes we even, unintentionally, hold our breath. Breathing deeply is a healthy habit that requires practice; it generally doesn’t come naturally to the best of us!
Taking longer exhales calms the parasympathetic nervous system. To begin exploring the transformative power of deep breath, try the following exercise: inhale for a count of three, and exhale for a count of five or six. Repeat this pattern for 10-15 cycles. Afterwards, observe how you feel.
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