Take a Breath

Yoga practice offers us the time to truly be with our breath. As we move through asanas (poses), our breath is there, offering the balance between breathing in and breathing out. Many times during yoga practice we are focused on our breathing, spending equal time and effort on the in-breath and the out-breath.

But the real question is, how can we focus on our breath off the mat too? 

Breathing in signifies the doing that we have going on in our lives from work, school, taking care of our family, running errands; it’s our never-ending to-do list. When we are always doing (something), we are likely to feel stress. We can’t always handle the adrenaline in all this doing and not enough rest can become overwhelming for our bodies.

Breathing out represents the “being” in our lives: meditation, reading, spending time with a friend, napping, resting, taking a walk along the beach and so on. Breathing out is not only a reset for our body, but also the mind and spirit. Breathing out is when we can let go, and let in. Breathing out we do out of love, allowing us to care more deeply for ourselves.

Breathing in is busy.
Breathing out is quiet.
Breathing in is depleting.
Breathing out is nourishing.

According to yoga and Ayurveda, we need a balance in our lives between breathing in and out, just like our yoga practice. In fact, it is said that if we overemphasize breathing in in our lives, that we will eventually find that we are breathing out more and more in the form of sickness and disease. If we don’t stop to take a needed break, we may find we get that break whether we consciously want it or not.
Breathing out is more powerful when it is done consciously. While binge watching on Netflix may be enjoyable, it can numb rather than nourish. Breathing out activities reminds us of who we truly are. There is a sense of inner listening that defines breathing out. Do you like to write music or sing? Do you like to design or create art? Look towards those activities that replenish you, that feed you on a deeper level, where you become inspired and more yourself.

Here are some practices to consider:
Have a daily meditation practice
Practice Yoga Nidra
Write in a journal
Do a weekly oil massage (Abhyanga)
Go for a walk outside
Read that book you’ve been putting aside
Watch the sun rise or set
Spend more time with your spouse, significant other or friend