Yoga Breathing Tips for Beginners

The different types of yoga emphasize various stages of pranayma (practice of proper breathing), so there is no one "correct" way to perform yogic breathing. At the same time, all approaches to yogic breathing share a few common traits:

1. Breath through the nose: The nose filters and warms the air before in enters the lungs. Nose breathing also slows the respiration rate.

2. Breathe deeply. Fill the lungs as completely as you can.

3. Use the right postures. The most effective breathing occurs in postures in which the lungs can expand fully.

Though beginners tend to focus entirely on forming postures correctly, breathing and body positioning are intertwined and equally important. Only by breathing properly will you be able to extend fully into postures and in turn gain the full range of yoga' benefits.