The Breath Factor

The Breath Factor

Although not all styles of yoga asana immediately emphasize the role of breath, most do. In fact, breathing is key to the whole philosophy. Breathing is viewed as the connection between the mind and the body and as the act that separates life from death.The one reason yoga develops the ability to achieve deep relaxation and flexibility is its controlled, deep, and focused breathing.
Some styles of yoga encourage you to breathe audibly, which serves as feedback that you are breathing correctly. Deep inhalation—filling the upper, middle, and bottom of the lungs—elevates the body’s core temperature and helps make the muscles flexible.Interestingly, it also conditions your lungs just as exercise conditions the muscles.Yoga practitioners actually have increased lung volume, and their bodies have an enhanced ability to deliver oxygen to their muscles and organs.