THE KRIYA YOGA BLOG
Nurturing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit on the Path of Yoga and Self-Discovery
Do you recall how a few days ago, I wrote a bit about Pranayama: Breathing - Lesson 1, and I provided a recording with a lecture about the importance of breath awareness and deep breathing? And how I also gave the instructions to our first pranayama practice, Yogic Breathing? Well... I have been practicing Yogic Breathing now for a few days. It has not been easy haha. My mind really likes to wander around! So... In the following video, I chose to share this morning's pranayama experience with you in order to discuss the following issues that I have had (and perhaps you have had as well???) Am I alone here in the struggle? ;)
Anyways, if you find yourself wandering a bit or struggling too, then you're not alone! We will get through it together by practicing daily and by remembering to kindly and gently bring our attention back to the breath. Please let me know how you are doing! Comment in solidarity haha. In the meantime, please enjoy watching me confess my own struggles. And please consider taking advantage of the written instructions to Yogic Breathing that I've included for you below. :) Don't forget, you could also listen to the recording if you wished via the last blog post. The practice starts around 18:00, I think. OH. And if you're an email recipient of this post, you'll have to click on the link below in order to view the video. ~ Ashley The Struggle is Real, But TemporaryYOGIC BREATHINGTechnique
Inhale slowly by allowing your abdomen to expand. Try to breathe so slowly that little or no sound of breath can be heard. At the end of the abdominal expansion, start to expand your chest outwards and upwards. At the end of this movement draw your collarbone and shoulders toward your head. This completes 1 inhalation. The whole process should be one continuous movement, each phase of breathing merging into the next, without there being any obvious transition point. There should be no jerks or unnecessary strain. Your breathing should be like the swell of the sea. The rest of the body should be relaxed. Now start to exhale. First relax your collarbone and shoulders. Then allow your chest to move, first downwards towards the feet and then inwards. After this allow the abdomen to contract. Don't strain but try to empty the lungs as much as possible by drawing or pulling the abdominal wall as near as possible to the spine. Again the whole movement should be a harmonious whole. This completes 1 round of yogic breathing. Hold your breath for a second or two at the end of each inhalation and exhalation. Inhale and do another round. Do up to 5 rounds on your first day of practice. Don't strain. Every day increase your practice by 2 rounds, or as time permits. Ten minutes yogic breathing is a reasonable length of time to eventually aim at. With enough practice you will find that the whole movement will occur naturally. No effort will be required.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
My MessageLove is the essence of our life. I have written this blog with love, and I offer it to you, dear reader, with the hope that the suggestions offered here will become a vital part of your self-healing and continued well-being. ~ Ashley SEARCH TOPICS
Categories
All
Archives
May 2023
donating = loving
If you find any joy and value in what I do, please consider becoming a Sustaining Patron with a recurring monthly donation of your choosing -- between a cup of tea and a good lunch. My intention is to always keep my research found within The Kriya Yoga Blog free (and ad-free) but it requires subsidization by the generous support of readers like you. It takes me hundreds of hours a month to sustain. Your support really matters. ❤ MONTHLY DONATION
♥ $3 / month ♥ $5 / month ♥ $7 / month ♥ $10 / month ♥ $25 / month ONE-TIME DONATION
You can also become a Spontaneous Supporter with a one-time donation in any amount: My Students |
❤ WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT ASHLEY CRUZ YOGA ❤
"From Aldea Yanapay (great school of love to children), to the incredible homely hostel la boheme, to the food at mercado san blas and at greenpoint... My 6 weeks in Cusco/Qosqo/centre/gravitational centre were all truly well balanced out by Ashley ● I have been doing yoga for five years in London, Lisbon and NYC and I was wonderfully surprised by the teacher Ashley in Cusco, Peru. From her words, to the sense of opportunity, helping, the pace, the getting everyone's names and brief "why am I here", taste for music and simply those oils... vinyasa gained a new look for me. ● You made me feel so balanced out, just when I needed that push. May your excellent work continue and your knowledge be taken further." ~ Yours, Ana Maria (portugal)
|
❤ Ashley Cruz YOGA IS SOCIAL ❤ |