YMSA - Yoga Meditation Studio Palm Beach - Viloma Breathing

 

Yoga Meditation

Viloma Breathing

Last week we blogged about Nadi Shodan breathing and all the great benefits we can experience through the practice of Nadi Shodan pranayama.

Another breathing technique that I love to use when I ‘just’ need a break is Viloma breathing. 

Again, just like with all other pranayamas, each breathing technique is priceless in that it makes you become more aware of your breath and particularly how you are breathing. Here in this practice we have the opportunity to direct the breath, control the mechanical process of breathing to increase the health benefits of our natural breathing our inhale and exhale. 

The practice of Viloma breathing requires that you to bring the breath down to the bottom of the lungs and then bring the breath up to the middle of the lungs. So, we are working the breath in stages.  It is also known as top up or staggered breath. 

 

Our lives are so stressful, we find that during the day tension and stress builds up in the body. When this happens we tend to breathe very shallowly into the upper part of the lungs.  Stress starts in the mind and the body takes the blows. Tension accumulates in the most vulnerable areas of the body, or where we have a tendency to hold tension and stress. Usually the neck, shoulders and head suffer.  The end result of shallow breathing is that the lungs take only a third of the breath it needs into the upper chest while the lower and middle parts are ignored.  Stagnant air becomes trapped in the lower areas of our lungs and has no way of moving out of the body. The only way we can get rid of this toxic air is through the practice of pranayama. We need fresh prana to circulate through the lungs in order to flush out all of the toxic, stale air.  This is very important because if stale air stays in the lungs this is not healthy for the body. The lungs transport air into the blood stream to revitalize and feed all of our cells, keeping the body healthy. The more fresh chi we can send to the blood stream the better off and healthier we will be.  If an ample supply of fresh oxygen prana or chi is not available to enter the blood stream we may become lethargic, tired and prone to sickness. 

Viloma breathing will gently remove tension out of the entire body, you will become aware of the release in the torso especially when you inhale and bring the breath in and down to the ribcage, abdominal region.  The shoulders will soften; releasing tension and the lungs will be stretched and exercised increasing lung capacity and also increasing strength to the lung muscle tissue.   Your parasympathetic nervous system will switch on and revitalise, re-energise and heal the body. The longer you are able to practice this relaxation technique the more benefits the body will gain.

I love to practice Viloma breathing before I go to bed at night. It is very effective due to the rapid way this practice relaxes the body. I calm my body, slow my mind down and reduce my heart rate while listening to yoga mantras that rest my soul and helps me to feel peaceful.  

I can’t think of a better way to transport the body/mind/spirit into a soothing, tranquil state before nodding off.

If you would like any more information on this topic (pranayama breathing) or yoga and meditation you are welcome to contact us. Leave a comment along with your details and we will get back to you as soon as wel can. Have a great day.

Namaste
Lalita and Kimmie

YMSA Team