Just Breathe - Pranayama

Pranayama is the art of yoga breathing; the word itself means, roughly translated, "breath control".  Prana is also the word for "life force", so pranayama can also be translated into "control of the life force", an important distinction for many people.  Breathing removes carbon dioxide from the body and brings in oxygen; it is one of the few bodily functions that can be controlled, yet it is often an unconscious act.   People tend to breathe in a shallow, rapid manner that fails to use the lungs fully and leads to a reduced intake of oxygen.  Slouching also inhibits the ability to breathe deeply. 

Breathing should be done primarily through the nose, not through the mouth as some people do.  The nose has filtering mechanisms to reduce invading pathogens and warms the air entering the body.  Deep breathing releases stress, reduces fatigue, increases resistance to disease, and improves self control.  Pranayama is used in preparation for meditation and during yoga to focus the mind and maximize the benefits of the practice.  Over time pranayama can improve an individual's mental state, as it in effect reduces an individual's mental "clutter" - the practitioner experiences this as improved mental clarity and interpersonal relationships.  Click on the link for some beginner's breathing exercises.  Namaste.