Yoga Breathing Techniques

Types Of Breathing:

1. Abdominal or Diaphragmatic Breathing: Breathe into the belly, that is what is said to encourage the students to practice. That means expanding the chest, and you are not actually breathing into the belly but it is a useful image. When the diaphragm contracts and flattens, the abdominal organs are pushed outwards as air is drawn into the bottom of the lungs. Stomach breathing or deep breathing is known as “Primary Breath”. It is a basic method of breathing, babies use deep belly method, which develop the base of the lungs.
2. Thoracic Breathing: When a baby is about nine months to one year old, the rib muscles develop. They begin to expand and contract the chest. The baby can now perform thoracic breathing, which uses the muscles of the rib cage and the mid section of the lungs. Breathing is taken away from the belly, or the lower part of the lungs. As the ribs expand, air is drawn in. We develop both physically as well as emotionally. The solar plexus area is known as the seat of the emotions. Unexpressed emotion causes a block of deep abdominal breathing, limiting our intake of vital oxygen and impairing our respiratory function.
3. Clavicular Breathing: The apex of the lungs are used, which extends from just under the collarbones to the sternum, and is seldom used in normal breathing. With clavicular, or upper chest, breathing, the collarbones rise up slightly. This pulls and massages the sub-clavicular muscles under the collarbones and helps to further lift the chest. Under the left sub-clavicular muscle, the lymphatic system collects toxins, breaks them down and puts them back into the system for elimination. When we breathe into the apex of the lungs, we are helping to further purify the body’s waste. With clavicular breathing we are also getting rid of stale, lifeless, residual air.