Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

BREATHING DURING ASANAS

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

 

For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final posture,

some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position, we

should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light on

this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

-different teachers different breathing systems. . .

-most typical in ashtanga is continuous ujai breathing

-typically pose is held 5-10 breaths finishing poses 15-50 depending on pose

 

holding the breath is risky, if you are under strain and you hold the

breath, you can faint

depending on the pose this can range from embarassing to dangerous

 

-tom

 

On 9/26/07, ravikumar_iyer <ravi wrote:

>

> During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

> be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

>

> For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final posture,

> some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

> seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

> same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position, we

> should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

> normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light on

> this?

>

>

>

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ashtangayoga , " ravikumar_iyer " <ravi wrote:

>

> During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

> be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

>

> For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final posture,

> some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

> seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

> same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position, we

> should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

> normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light on

> this?

>

 

Interesting question. I'm just a beginner, but it seems to me that breathing

would depend

on where the person is in the practice, and how much that individual can do

safely. I

would think that there should be guidelines as to the next step that aare pretty

systematic,

but I don't know for sure. And guidelines probably vary from style to style.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dear Ravikumar,

Greetings.

Excepting Kumbaga you follow the normal breathing. It is so enshrined in our

system and script that by mudhras (finger positioning) or excercise/asana/ the

system pumps air to different lobs in lunks. All the yoga and excercise/raja

yoga are ment for activating and regulating the lung function . Which also

regulate the oxygen in blood.

All the best

 

Dr.K.Ramasamy

Dean

School of biotechnology

SRM University

Kattankulathur 603203

dean

ramasamytnau

044-27455716

9940036016

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both are correct, u can practise either.

 

ravikumar_iyer <ravi wrote: During most of the asanas,

after reaching the final position, should

be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

 

For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final posture,

some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position, we

should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light on

this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I find the comment ( " All the yoga and exercise/raja yoga are meant for

activating and regulating the lung function. " ) is particularly significant for

me.

 

4 years ago, my lungs were severely damaged by the inhalation of low levels of

formaldehyde (without my knowledge). The result is that I now have both

obstructive and restrictive lung disease with the equivalent of only 1 lung. I

was told that I would probably die within the year and definitely within 4-5

years! I started doing yoga after my lungs were damaged. In the beginning,

several times a day I had to use Pranayama to re-teach my lungs how to expand

and contract. Now the pulmonologist doesn't know what to make of my physical

strength in spite of the cat scan!

 

I cannot do any form of cardio as it generates too much C02 waste....making me

vulnerable to respiratory acidosis. Even though I am 61, I began focusing on

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga several months ago (at my level of capability) into order

to create more lean muscle (to burn 02 more efficiently). After several months,

I was stunned to discover that my cardio capacity had increased....even though I

always had to move slowly and often take several breaths before doing the next

sun salutation!

 

Mary

 

Ramasamy Kumarasamy <ramasamytnau wrote:

Dear Ravikumar,

Greetings.

Excepting Kumbaga you follow the normal breathing. It is so enshrined in our

system and script that by mudhras (finger positioning) or excercise/asana/ the

system pumps air to different lobs in lunks. All the yoga and excercise/raja

yoga are ment for activating and regulating the lung function . Which also

regulate the oxygen in blood.

All the best

 

Dr.K.Ramasamy

Dean

School of biotechnology

SRM University

Kattankulathur 603203

dean

ramasamytnau

044-27455716

9940036016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows.

Answers - Check it out.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ashtangayoga , " markcom808 " <markcom808 wrote:

>

> ashtangayoga , " ravikumar_iyer " <ravi@> wrote:

> >

> > During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

> > be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

> >

> > For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final

posture,

> > some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

> > seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

> > same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final

position, we

> > should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

> > normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed

light on

> > this?

> >

>

> Interesting question. I'm just a beginner, but it seems to me that

breathing would depend

> on where the person is in the practice, and how much that individual

can do safely. I

> would think that there should be guidelines as to the next step that

aare pretty systematic,

> but I don't know for sure. And guidelines probably vary from style

to style.

>

In Ashtanga, you should be able to breathe deeply in the asanas, never

holding the breath. If you can't breathe freely, it's an indication

you need to ease up or back out of the pose. Remember, it's not about

'achieving' a posture but allowing the body to open gently and

learning along the way.

Breath is essential in Ashtanga; it guides your practice, helps

maintain focus, distributes prana (energy), gets you deeper into the

postures and maximizes the postures' benefits.

Other styles might indicate holding the breath, but please never do

this while practicing Ashtanga.

Hope this helps. Have fun practicing! Kathi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dr. Ramaswamy,

 

Thank you for clarifiying a basic but important point, which I am sure would

benefit all those who have similar doubts.

 

 

Best Regards.

Ravikumar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ashtangayoga , " ravikumar_iyer " <ravi wrote:

>

> During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

> be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

>

> For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final

posture,

> some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

> seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

> same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position,

we

> should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

> normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light

on

> this?

>

 

Hi,as for ashtanga,as long as you could try to make sure that your

inhaling and exhaling breath are both at the same length, then it

really doesn't matter how many mintues you should hold or not. I have

attended Richard Freeman's workshop once. I remember he kept reminding

us 'Just to listen to the river of the sound (breath)'. So I think

maybe you could try to just follow your own tempo of breathing, and let

your breath guide your body.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Congratulations Mary. It was a good news that cardio capacity had increased. You

keep your positive spirit up that alone will last you awhile longer. good job!!!

 

are you a vegetarian?

 

tian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, I am not a vegetarian. I was vegetarian for about 10 years, vegan for about

2 years, and a fruitarian for 1 year. However, I reverted back to begin

basically vegetarian (with some fish) after the experiment with fruitarianism.

When my lungs were damaged, I went back to a strict raw food diet only to get

sicker! Then I tried vegan and vegetarian diets with the same results. During

all this time, I had to reteach my lungs how to expand and contract

daily...sometimes several times daily. At the sinsistance of a friend, I gave

in and tried raw grassfed meat, raw fish, and raw dairy. In 3 months time, my

lung elasticity increased by 20%! Even the MDs were astounded! After much

research, I learned that it was the CLA in RAW grassfed animal flesh and

products that produced these results. Although eating more did not produce

increased results, taking animal flesh out of my diet caused health problems. I

have assumed that this was caused by an

increased need for amino acids as so much damaged tissue had to be repaired.

Slowly, I am moving back to a vegetarian diet.

 

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

tianran wang <tianranw

ashtangayoga

Thursday, October 4, 2007 12:56:58 PM

Re: ashtanga yoga BREATHING DURING ASANAS

 

Congratulations Mary. It was a good news that cardio capacity had increased. You

keep your positive spirit up that alone will last you awhile longer. good job!!!

 

are you a vegetarian?

 

tian

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.

Answers - Check it out.

http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545433

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hey! Ravi.

 

Sorry that it has taken me quite while to reply.

 

First and foremost, it is good to have views of others

and for you to have a look at it or even perhaps to

experiment on them but always use one's own

discretion. If you are a beginner, I suggest that you

go through under proper guidance of a qualified

teacher.

 

Oxygen is what we humans need and use the breathigng

technique everyday be it for normal chores, yoga,

martial arts and other form of exercises. As per the

above subject, it can be used in various ways and can

be divided into four parts.....inhalation, exhalation,

retention after inhalatioin and retention after

exhalation. It is used to intensify the effects of a

posture.

 

Depending on your level and what you want in your

practice but always listen to your body and whatever

you do consistentcy of the rhythm/breath is the key.

 

May I suggest a book entitled, The Heart of Yoga by

TKV Desikachar, son of Shri T. Krishnamarcharya

(teacher of Sri K Patthabhi Jois). I am sure that this

book will answer a lot of your questions with its very

approachable techniques and easy comprehensible text.

 

What suits one in a posture may not necessary cater

for the other. It is variable.

 

Hope this answer your question. If you need further

clarification please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Nameste,

Jason

 

Jason

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

---

Hi,

 

If you are doing static asanas, then you need to breath normally

when you are reach the final pose and hold for however long you are

able to and if you are doing dynamic asanas, then just do the required

counts and get out of the pose.

So the important thing to observe is 'static' or 'dynamic'.

regards,

zarine

 

 

In ashtangayoga , " ravikumar_iyer " <ravi wrote:

>

> During most of the asanas, after reaching the final position, should

> be hold breath or just keep breathing normally?

>

> For instance, in Bhujanga Asana, after getting into the final posture,

> some experts say that we should hold the inhaled breath for about 8

> seconds and come back to original position, exhaling slowly. For the

> same asana, some experts say that once we reach the final position, we

> should remain in that position for about 1.5 to 2 minutes, breathing

> normally, slowly. Which is correct? Can someone please shed light on

> this?

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...