Pranayama is defined as the lengthening of the breath. Prana translates as life force particularly the breath and ayama translates as to lengthen or extend. There are numerous pranayama techniques and I have learnt a few of them and used them in my everyday life and yoga practice.

I have to admit that I do not have a huge pranayama practice right now. I have a full time job, a relationship, friends, sewing classes etc etc etc and sometimes just fitting in a little yoga practice is hard enough! I am very jealous of people I meet that have a 45minute pranayama practice everyday in addition to their yoga! I want to suggest that everyone pick up a pranayama practice of some sort.

Most of us are walking around shallow breathers which creates an oxygen deficiency in our cells. Deep breathing oxygenates our blood and hence organs and cells and this is why we feel so amazing after a pranayama practice!

Ujyayi pranayama is the triumphant breath used during asana practice. Most of you are probably familiar with this technique and everyone should use it in conjunction with their yoga practice. As for the many other techniques they are usually not found in a drop-in yoga class. There are workshops or meditations classes that include some good breath work instruction. A quick google search can also show you tons of instruction out there for breathing techniques to add to your practice.

I take a few minutes for deep breathing and ribcage expansion at the beginning of my asana to calm my mind and exhilerate my body. It really helps to take my practice further. Deep luxurious breathing during my yoga practice is effortless when i practice after pranayama. Sometimes I will also follow pranayama with some meditation at the end of my practice.

It is also a great stress reliever that I use on my lunch break at work. If it is nice out I will try to sit outside or I will just take over an empty office. I take deep inhales and exhales first building up the length of each. Then I will hold each breath at the top and bottom for a bit until I fell a wonderful calm come over me. After that I operate from a centre of tranquility. Taking on the rest of the work day and whatever challenges arise is easy.

Breath deep, oxygenate your blood, and feel the benefits!

Motivation & Discipline

Part 1: Where do I get some of that?

Motivation and discipline are characteristics that I felt I didn’t have and struggled with for quite a while. I spent four years going to drop in or structured classes and learned some, but felt I couldn’t bring it home. I had trouble just getting on my mat and practicing.

At first it did take a little discipline. Ok, a lot! I would come home from work, put on my 3 second breath cycle cd, and set up my practice area. I still found ways to avoid the practice for a while spending time cleaning up my apartment or calling friends. But after a while I would know I had to get some type of a practice in. I followed the structure my teacher had given me with the Smart Yoga approach. Sometimes I would use a pranayama exercise to calm my mind and breath. When I first started practicing on my own it wouldn’t be for very long. Sometimes only half an hour. And I always experienced great benefits from any little bit of yoga I did.

Yoga builds. My practice built slowly. But now there are times when I loose hours to practicing yoga within that happy realm of motion. It might not be everyday, but it is constantly evolving.

When you get home, clear a space, roll out your mat and enjoy your body!