When someone is feeling anxious, the first thing most people say is, “take a deep breath.” Instinctively, we know taking a deep breath will help us pause, relax, and reset in order to continue on with our day. What’s interesting is that sometimes when people say this to me, I actually get frustrated! I don’t want to breathe! I’m in panic mode over here! But then I learned why the breath is so important and how to breathe in a way that almost instantly reduces my anxiety. And now it’s my number one go-to tool when I’m feeling anxious. And I want the same for you! Today I’m sharing exactly why taking a deep breath works and how to do it properly so that you can slow down your nervous system and reduce your anxiety.

Usually the first thing people tell you when you feel overwhelmed, anxious or panicked is to “take a deep breath”. More often than not, you do end up feeling calmer when you take a moment to focus on your breath. But why? In yoga, the practices of breathing are called Pranayama. In today’s crazy, chaotic world, my pranayama practice helps keep me grounded, even if I can only practice for 5 minutes a day. That’s the power of it! It’s amazing how just a little bit of breath work can impact my energy and change my mood almost instantly. Today I’m sharing the foundations of a pranayama practice so you can start using the breath to reduce your anxiety, especially in the moment, so you can feel more grounded and calm.

Although I had been practicing yoga for a long time, my first formal introduction to Pranayama was during my 300-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in October 2017. I had practiced many of the techniques before 2017, but I never really understood the true impact of pranayama until my amazing teacher, Larissa Hall Carlson, opened my eyes to its incredible power. With each practice, I felt grounded and light, clear and open, joyful, happy and satisfied. I absolutely fell in love. Each time I practice, I feel more alive. And I want the same for you! Today I’m sharing the foundations of a pranayama practice so you can begin to explore these practices in order to improve your overall well-being and feel more alive.

You may not notice it, but if you’re reading this article, you’re breathing. A lot. In fact, on average, we take more than 20,000 breaths every day! We do plenty of breathing, but are you breathing well? This week, Steve Sampson gives us a look at the mechanics of breathing, what differentiates between efficient and inefficient breath patterns, and how your yoga practice comes into play.