Pranayama

Pranayama --> prana = “life force”;       yama = “restrain” or “to hold"

For those of you who are new to yoga, or have never taken class before, 'Pranayama' is the Sanskrit term teachers use to reference “breath” or “breath-work."  For me personally, pranayama has been one of the most challenging pieces to work on as a student AND teacher, and has really taken me awhile to fully understand its importance. 

When I first started attending yoga classes, my main motives were to experience a good workout, gain strength, increase flexibility, and of course—sweat.  I wanted a way to continue being active, while also somewhat engaging my dance background.  Boy was I wrong - there is so much more to yoga. 

Throughout my beginner yoga experience, the first thing I noticed teachers saying in class was to "Focus on your breath."  Other phrases commonly used were "Notice your breath" or even ask class directly "Are you breathing?!"  Huh....Never before did I pay much attention to how I was breathing during exercise, or in life for that matter.  I'm sure many of you can agree that breathing is not something we consciously think about on a daily basis—yet, it truly is our “life force."   Most of us are not aware of our breath until something is restraining it from us.  [i.e. Re-read Pranayama definition.] Ironic, isn't it?  

As I started attending more classes, the studio I frequented focused a lot of attention on Ujjiayi (sounds like Ooh-Jy-Eee) Pranayama, or "Ocean sounding breath."  Every inhale, we move; every exhale, we move.  Or even harder - we STAY IN ONE SPOT while breathing.  Ahhh!!  Now, I still wasn’t an expert at breathing while working out, but I figured I would have some sort of clue while class went along.  Little did I know just noticing my breath and continuing to breathe (especially during core work or more challenging poses) was a lot harder than I thought!  Sure enough - during intense postures or moments where I felt I was trying really, REALLY hard....I wasn't breathing evenly; or at all!  Once I started remembering to breathe, or send my breath to areas in the body that were struggling, I surprisingly found strength; or my mind felt clearer by the final Savasana.  Throughout my yoga practice/teaching journey I still continue to wonder—why don’t other sports and activities focus on breath as much as yoga?  It would only seem to benefit them!  

For those of you who know me personally, you can probably attest to this - I'm a pretty high-strung individual.  I unfortunately get stressed out quite easily, and consider myself an anxious person.  But yoga has truly helped.   Ever since I deepened my own practice I now find myself taking deep inhales/exhales during stressful situations without a second thought.  My anxiety isn't "cured" by any means, but I do tell people I have the tools to cope with it better. I have also become more aware of how I breathe—I put effort to breathe more from my diaphragm and lower belly; not higher up in my chest like I tend to do.  (The latter can actually worsen anxious feelings).  This has increased not only the power of my voice, but has also let my mind finally relax and calm down during hectic moments.  

As I’ve grown more comfortable using ujjayi pranayama during practice, I also notice that I am able to flow on my own 'breath to movement' without feeling the need to rush or match everyone else.  Not so long ago, I was that person who felt pressured to “keep up” in class, otherwise I thought I’d be labeled a 'bad student'.   Today, I don’t feel shame taking longer inhales/exhales when I need—I feel more benefit from my practice when I do so, like I’m in my own little world.  And after a fellow teacher's  suggestion, I have started using my FULL inhales and exhales getting to a posture (moving slower) instead of just rushing into a pose.  I can definitely feel my breath moving me, instead of my body taking charge of my breath.

Now that I have found some success and personal growth with my breath work, I am inspired to go for the next obstacle, or push myself to a new “edge” as Baron Baptiste discusses in Journey into Power.  This obstacle has become restore, or 'yin' yoga—I love the relaxation and deepening stretches yin has to offer, but it also provides me personal challenges.  In slower-paced classes I notice myself starting to struggle in certain postures; my mind begins to wander, and I notice my breath going haywire.  Even with these struggles, I truly have surprised myself at how much I enjoy restore classes - it is so refreshing to feel my body start to “let go” even when I don’t think I can.  Amazing what faith in yourself can do :) 

Just as if this post were a yoga practice, I will end with a statement/quote adapted from Baron Baptiste that has helped me focus on this subject:  “Yoga is nothing without pranayama—without breath, you are simply going through the motions.  But with your breath, you are able to capture the full yoga experience and receive all of its benefits.”

And because I love to be humorous, I will also quote Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid: 

“No breath, no life.”