05/14/2026
The breath can be a powerful tool. In class there’s an emphasis on moving the body with the breath, but do you know why?
The breath itself can be useful to help guide your practice. When the breath becomes short it means we’re forcing too far, but when it remains long we can find ease and depth.
When we begin listening to the breath we begin to understand what it means to observe ourselves. It’s through this observation that we learn what is happening in our bodies and begins to teach us skills for self study (svadhyaya).
The breath helps us regulate the nervous system, especially when we learn to focus on the exhale. When the breath is short or choppy, that’s a good sign that we are worked up or in a state of hyperarousal. When we shift the focus to the breath and lengthen the exhale we can help regulate this state.
When the breath in practice becomes rushed, do you allow this to rush the practice or hurry up to get out of something? Or do you take this as a moment to reflect and back off to a point where you can find that longer, smoother breath?
Focusing on the breath body connection helps to focus the mind, and keeps us present in the moment, and find balance. The longer we can hold onto that sense of presence the easier it translates off the mat.
These are just a few of the reasons we emphasize using the breath in our practice. What’s your favorite part of practice?
And if you bothered to read this far, then yes that is my breath during practice 😉.
