Stress Management with Yoga Breathing

Stress management and relaxation are just two of the benefits you will find with yoga as it bleeds over into daily life. Even when I am not actively practicing yoga, I use yoga breathing to relax during my day. This is to be expected since deep breathing relaxation methods are used to manage stress.

The Inhalation

Breathing through the nose is recommended in yoga. You want to expand your chest versus your belly to breathe. It is impossible to do belly breathing while simultaneously engaging your core. The breath is synchronized with the movements in vinyasa yoga. It is common to instinctively hold your breath when you are doing a harder pose. When difficulties arise in life, it is as important as in yoga to allow your breath to continue freely.

Breathe Out

In yoga you learn to breathe out audibly through the nose (not through the mouth). A newcomer to yoga must think it is very strange that everyone is breathing so heavy. This forceful exhalation is called ouija breathing, and it helps to warm the body and increase oxygen consumption.

More air is forced out of the lungs with this breathing. You will find your body instantly feels more relaxed. This powerful breathing relaxation technique creates a sense of ‘blowing off steam’.

Often in class we will do cleansing breaths. They are exhaled through the mouth, often accompanied by a sighing sound. These sighs are timed right after more intense exertions in the practice. Translation: when feeling stressed or after finishing a major task, try using a deep sigh to let go and relax.

In my daily life, I will automatically find myself practicing deep breathing relaxation. I find my yoga practice has created this automatic response for me. Without consciously trying, I will begin taking deeper breaths when I need it most. Occasionally I catch myself holding my breath when tense, and this gives me the opportunity to switch to deeper breathing.

I’ve heard yoga instructors say that a single, conscious breath makes a yoga practice. This allows the stress management benefits from yoga to bleed over into life. You will enjoy the fact that relaxation with yoga breathing becomes automatic over time. Yoga just may be the only breathing relaxation technique you need.