Deep Breathing for Energy and Relaxation

When teaching a hatha yoga class, I usually finish with relaxation breathing with the practitioners lying prone on their mats on their backs. (This can also be performed lying on a bed or a large couch). Feet should be comfortably apart, and arms a comfortable distance away from the body, with the hands relaxed, index finger and thumb forming an "O". Alternately, you can sit in Tailor or Lotus fashion (legs loosely or tightly crossed "indian style"), hands resting loosely on the knees with again the index and thumb forming an "O" (this symbolizes completion, wholeness, the past and future coming full circle). If again, you are sitting at your work desk and not in a class or practicing a yoga routine, make adjustments accordingly.

Take a deep breath inhale through the nose. Again, as in breathing for energy, follow a four second count inhale. However, unlike in the energy breathing, in relaxation breathing you exhale more slowly, through the mouth, on an 8 second count. Breath in through the nose for 4 seconds, out through the mouth SLOWLY for 8 seconds. This imitates the natural breathing pattern found in the first, or alpha, stage of sleep, and puts the body into a naturally relaxed state. The practitioner remains mentally alert, but concentration is able to be highly focused, and the physical body becomes extremely relaxed the longer the relaxation breathing is practiced.

As you inhale, again, begin to visualize, although in breathing for relaxation you may wish to picture your inhale as a light blue, or a light green, as these colors are naturally relaxing to the eye and spirit. Instead of energy, imagine inhaling a light blue stream of pure calmness and serenity. When you exhale, imagine any stress or any negativity leaving the body (again, I usually picture this as a black cloud of sorts). As you continue your relaxation breathing, concentrate on feeling all the different muscle groups of your body relax and become under your complete control. Feel your heart rate decrease, and allow your physical self to "sink" into the floor...let all the muscles relax and be supported in this manner. Continue breathing in this manner until total relaxation is attained.

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