Yoga breath (pranayama) promotes health and vitality in our lungs. In yoga, we inhale and exhale through our nostrils; but, occasionally we exhale through our mouth. If our lungs are healthy, we can add breath retention (a pausing after inhaling and/or exhaling) to improve lung capacity over time. Breath retention and Breath of Fire are not recommended for children, pregnant women, and those with cardiac or respiratory issues.
Breath to Calm:
- Expanding Breath (to expand back bends)
- Sinking Breath (to deepen forward folds)
- Equal Ratio Breath (equal count for inhale and exhale)
- Three-Part Breath (focus on expanding lower, middle and upper lungs)
- Extended Exhale Breath (normal inhale, long exhale)
- Diaphragmatic Breath (focus on expanding ribs)
- Abdominal Breath (focus on expanding belly)
- Cool Single Nostril Breath (gently close right nostril. Inhale & exhale through left nostril)
- Whisper Breath (a.k.a. – Ujjayi Breath, exhaling sound of the ocean)
Breath to Energize:
- Deep Cleansing Breath (exhale audibly out the mouth)
- Lion’s Breath (Deep Cleansing Breath combined with a yoga movement)
- Extended Inhale Breath (long inhale, normal exhale)
- Warm Single Nostril Breath (gently close right nostril. Inhale & exhale through left nostril)
- Breath of Fire (Avoid if you have high or low blood pressure.)
Breath to Balance:
- Alternate Nostril Breathing (like single nostril breath, except switching directions after each breath)
Breath for Children:
- Bees Breath (to calm)
- 123 Breath (to calm, similar to Equal Ratio Breath)
- Bear’s Breath (to calm, similar to Three-Part Breath)
- Bunny’s Breath (to energize)
- Lion’s Breath (to energize, breath with yoga movement)
- Choo-Choo Breath (to energize, breath with arm movement)
- Elephant Breath (to energize, breath with yoga movement)
There are free smartphone apps that can help you train your breath, such as Prana Breath: Calm & Meditate.
Recommended Reading: The Science of Breath by Yogi Rachmacharia