Pranayama - Traditional Yoga Breathing Techniques

Yoga Breath is more than following specific directions for a specified time. Pranayama, Yoga Breath, is a tool to develop your natural rhythms of body, mind and soul. Pranayama technique carries several factors of importance that will lead you to living healthily and towards a meaningful yoga practice. Some positive and negative factors of the traditional pranayama techniques include:

Complete Breath

• Increases Oxygen Intake
• Calms the Mind
• Realeases Toxins
• Exercises the Respiratory System
• Prepares the Body for Deeper Pranayama Techniques

High Breathing 

• Limits Air Capacity
• May Cause Problems with the Digestive, Stomach, Gastro-Intestinal and Gynecological Systems
• Shallow Breath that Exercises the Chest more than the Respiratory System.

Low Breathing 

• Greater Oxygen Intake than in High Breath
• "Lazy" Breath - Generally denotes Poor Posture
• Exercises the Diaphragm and Solar Plexus, a Nerve Center
• Increases Venous Circulation

Breath passes through the Respiratory System, delivering the oxygen into our bloodstream and releasing toxins and carbon dioxide. Our simple breath vitalizes the body, keeps the mind alert and prana strong. Let's take a deeper look at how the act of breathing becomes prana-yama...

Nose and Mouth

Air is filtered through the mouth and nose. Breathing through the nose regulates our bodily functions, though the mouth is used when higher oxygen levels are called for. During yoga practice, we use nostril breathing techniques.

Pharynx and Larynx

Just behind the nose and mouth lies the pharynx, belonging to part of the Respiratory and Digestive Systems. Our tonsils are part of the pharynx wich help direct air and food individually. At the end of the pharynx lies the esophagus and larynx, or voice box housing the anatomy of sound. The epiglottis, which is cartilage, lies at the top of the larynx to close it from food or liquid.

Trachea and Bronchi

The part of our anatomy in which gas, or breath, is transported is the trachea, or windpipe. This powerful tube works by pushing particles away and is also filled with cartilage rings for structural support. The end of the trachea splits into bronchi (two tubes) where gas exchange can happen. The bronchi lead to thin bronchioles which have alveoli, or air sacs, to begin utilizing oxygen.

Lungs and Thorax

The lungs transfer oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide from the body. They are comprised of bronchioles, alveoli, elastic tissue to help expansion, and blood vessels and capillaries to carry the oxygen. The thoracic cavity is protected by the rib cage and sternum, or breastbone. This area is found from the neck to the back and houses the heart and lungs.


It is essential to maintain a healthy Respiratory System, which is the base of our livelihood and physical and mental well-being.