Yoga for Life

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•Day 8• Prāṇāyāma


•Day 8 of 365•
Yoga discusses the connection between mind, body and spirit. Our breath is the one thing that pervades and ties all three layers together. Yoga breathing also known as Prāṇāyāma conjugates (consists of) two words: Prana = breath, yama = path.  The practice of Prāṇāyāma is the technique by which you guide and control the movement of your breath.

When you change the duration of your inhales compared to your exhales, you control the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs, which changes your blood chemistry which in turn influences your body and mind.

There are 9 classic Prāṇāyāma mentioned in Hatha Yoga Pradipika each serving a different purpose. There are pranayamas for when you need to heat up your body on a cold day (#Bhastrikā), or cool you down when you get too hot (#Sitali). Some can make you more alert (#Kapalabhati), while others can calm your mind (#nadishodhana).
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We try to incorporate at least one prāṇāyāma in all of our classes at YFL. In the upcoming weeks we will show you how to practice at home or in the studio.
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#lifelikeayogi #yfl365 #breathe#pranayamas #hathayogapradipika