PSA: Ongoing things happening at YBC - Our Costa Rica jungle retreat is set for November (hope you'll come!) and the YBC Official App has a super strong community forming in the forum section of the app. Give it a try and be sure to review it if you have a sec on iTunes or Google Play!
Breathing is the most essential thing is yoga. Well, in life too, since we will, you know, literally die if we stop breathing, but it's a huge part of the yoga practice as well. I wanted to put together an easy guide for remembering how to breathe and when to breathe during various poses in the yoga practice because breathing correctly can completely transform the your practice.
When to inhale during yoga practice
Inhale when you are opening or lifting the chest like when coming into upward facing dog, arch uttanasana, wheel pose, and stepping forward from downward facing dog, among others. Inhaling during these opening and energizing poses and transitions fuels the body by pumping more blood to the muscles so it's important to synchronize the movements with the correct breath for optimal performance.
When to exhale during yoga practice
You'll want to exhale whenever you are doing anything to make your body more compact or smaller like when coming into wide leg forward fold, rag doll, and standing split. You'll also want to exhale when you initiate a twist. We exhale during these movements because emptying the lungs creates more space in the diaphragm to come deeper into the pose.
Let's talk I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have any specific questions for when to breathe or how to breathe during various poses. Happy to help!