If you’ve ever taken one of our trainings, you’ve probably heard us say that your yoga practice is comprised of three parts — breathwork, meditation, and movement. In essence, yoga is the discipline of yoking your movement with your breath. And, at Holy Yoga, it is a discipline that is centered around Christ, for it is “in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
In Scripture, we see two types of breath: 1. Pneuma, the counselor breath (ie: the Holy Spirit), and 2. Ruach, the creator breath (ie: God breathed into creation). It is a powerful force that both creates and sustains.
Just as our breath is the life force that sustains us, incorporating intentional breathwork into your yoga practice can unlock a myriad of benefits for both your physical and mental health. Whether you’re a seasoned yoga instructor or simply curious about enhancing your well-being, here are just a few advantages of breathwork:
The Essence of Breathwork
At the heart of yoga lies the philosophy that the breath is the bridge between the body and the mind. Breathwork, or Pranayama, focuses on harnessing the power of breath to influence your physical, mental, and emotional states. By deliberately manipulating your breath, you can cultivate a deep sense of connection with yourself and the present moment.
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
In this fast-paced world, stress and anxiety can easily take a toll on your well-being. Breathwork serves as a gentle yet potent tool to counteract these challenges. Through techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing, you can activate the body’s relaxation response, lower cortisol levels, and induce a sense of calm. As yoga instructors, integrating breathwork into your classes can provide your students with invaluable tools to manage stress in their daily lives.
Enhanced Mind-Body Awareness
Incorporating conscious breathwork into your yoga practice deepens the mind-body connection. The breath becomes a guide, leading you through poses (asanas) with greater awareness of your body’s sensations, limitations, and potential. This heightened awareness not only prevents injury but also enables you to tap into your body’s innate wisdom, allowing for a more fulfilling and enriching practice.
Energy Cultivation and Vitality
Breath is life energy, and by harnessing its power through specific techniques, you can revitalize your body and mind. Practices like skull-shining breath (Kapalabhati) oxygenate your cells, stimulate circulation, and rejuvenate the entire system. As yoga instructors, sharing these practices with your students can empower them to infuse their lives with renewed vitality.
Emotional Regulation
Our breath is intricately linked with our emotions. Think about how your breath quickens when you’re anxious and slows when you’re at ease. Breathwork offers a pathway to emotional balance. Techniques like humming bee breath (Bhramari) and victorious breath (Ujjayi) help regulate emotions, calm the mind, and foster a sense of emotional equilibrium.
Mindful Presence
Breathwork serves as an anchor to the present moment. Just as the mind tends to wander, the breath grounds us in the here and now. Guiding your students to focus on their breath during meditation or relaxation exercises can help them cultivate mindfulness – a skill they can carry off the mat and into their daily lives.
In fact, it is when our hearts begin to settle before Him in meditation that breathwork allows our head to meet with our heart, and it is through this connection that our bodies can be trained and renewed (source: Holy Yoga Trauma Training).
Breathwork is an incredible resource, and more studies are being released on just how powerful it is. Incorporating breathwork into your yoga practice or teachings is an opportunity to empower yourself and your students with tools that can transform lives.
Additional Resources
“Neuroscientists have identified how exactly a deep breath changes your mind“
“How Breathwork can Help Heal Trauma & Reduce Physical Inflammation“
Breathe Easy: Simple Techniques to Ease Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life Workshop
Holy Yoga 200 Hour Instructor Training
