Yoga BreathingPractitioners of the ancient art of yoga often tout its many and varied benefits, which can include increased strength and flexibility, a reduction of muscular pain, and overall body wellness. But according to at least one expert on the subject, an essential key to yoga is not in the limbs or the back: it's in the lungs. To get the most out of yoga, you must be aware of how you are breathing, and learn to master proper breathing techniques.
David Conway is one of New York City's most sought after yoga teachers. As a documentary filmmaker, Conway recently completed "the power of yoga" a film focusing on the difference yoga has made in the lives of people from different walks of life. Here he offers some tips for yoga breathing:
- Reduce tension.
When you breathe irregularly you can increase your body's tension. Proper breathing can help reduce this tension, allowing you to maximize your yoga benefits.
- Exhale with sound.
The first thing you want to focus on is exhaling. The easiest way to learn to exhale correctly, says Conway, is to put a little sound in it. Try simple vowel sounds like "ah." When you breathe out, do it with an extended "ahhhhhhhhhh."
- Inhale with nose.
You can use a similar technique when inhaling. When you breathe in through your nose, do it with an exaggerated aspirated sound- like slowly sniffing a flower.
- Practice holding your breath.
Once you've learned to exhale completely, you can try holding your breath. This can be very helpful for the yoga beginner, as it teaches you to let go.
- Surf for more info.
To find out more about yoga, says Conaway, visit any of the great yoga sites on the World Wide Web.
For more about Yoga, check out the following websites:
American Yoga Association
www.americanyogaassociation.org
The Yoga Alliance
www.yogaalliance.org
Yoga Research and Education Center
www.yrec.org
Yoga Finder
www.yogafinder.com
Yoga Basics
www.yogabasics.com
Yoga Movement
www.yogamovement.com
Next: Yoga Stretching | 
)
