Wellness with Bahayogi: ‘The Power of Breath’

By Alexandra ‘Bahayogi’ Kaufmann Photographs courtesy of L. Roscoe Dames II

Pause. Take a deep breath in, and feel your belly expand and chest rise, as you inhale air through your nose and into your lungs. Softly hold it for a count of 3. Then, open your mouth and release, feeling your belly contract. How does that feel? We may often feel a bit lightheaded or tingly or a feeling of release and renewal afterward. But there’s always that moment when we finally get to take a full deep breath in and out and feel a sense of euphoria that brings us back to centre, back to the present. It accompanies with it a sense of gratitude for life. This is what we need more of.

Breathing is one of those things we do naturally. It just happens, and we move through life without really thinking about it. So much so, that we don’t realize we aren’t using our lungs to their total capacity. And, even more so, the severe effects this can have on our lives. We live in such high-stress environments that limit the depth of our breath and thus become shallow breathers—inhaling through our mouth, holding our breath, and taking in less air. Shallow breathing induces a stress response— partly, because of a lack of healthy, periodic flow of oxygen in the body—that increases tension and affects our immune system and mental health in the long term.

In yoga, breath is essential. It is the building block of the journey to uniting our mind and body. If you are breathing, you are already on this journey—no headstands required. When we breathe, we draw in energy. This energy is called prana. Prana, a Sanskrit word, is a vital life force and the original creative power of all energy working at every level of our being. When we circulate prana throughout our body’s depths, we transform our consciousness and gain mastery over the body. This mastery aids in our ability to truly feel, experience, and be a presence in the now.

Outside of the world of yoga, deep and mindful breathing facilitates complete oxygen exchange, which helps stabilize blood pressure and reduce heart rate. Mastering your breath can also help you stay grounded in stressful situations and make better decisions. So, take a moment to tap into your breath and invite in more prana today—your health depends on it. UA