Long, deep navel breathing is the simplest kind of all yogic healing breaths. It is the breath you did as a child, the kind of breath that animals do, and which people in primitive societies still do.

Unfortunately, due to stress and poor diet, most adults in our culture have reversed the directional flow and thus increased stress in their bodies.

Benefits
The benefits of re-educating yourself to this breath are many:

• You will feel relaxed and calm.
• Your body's magnetic field will be revitalized, making you less likely to have accidents, sickness and negativity.
• Toxic buildup caused by not clearing the mucous linings of the lungs will be reduced.
• The blood will be cleansed and super-oxygenated.
• The improved oxygen flow to the brain will improve its functioning.
• It stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain to help combat depression.
• It helps release blockages in meridian energy flow

Most of us use only about 10% of our lung capacity. As we progress in these yogic breathing techniques, we will increase our use of that capacity and reap many of these benefits.

1.

Tune In

2.

Make each inhale and exhale as long and complete as you can, gradually increasing the total length of the complete cycle. Done upon rising in the morning, it will give you calmer, focused energy with which to begin the day. Done before sleep, it will help you sleep more completely and relaxed.

A. Sit in Easy Pose (or a chair) and begin slowly inhaling while pushing the abdomen forward. This draws the diaphragm down, creating a vacuum in the lung cavity so air automatically flows into the lungs.

B. When lungs have filled, begin exhaling while pulling the abdomen back toward the spine. This pushes the diaphragm up, creating a pressure on the lungs which causes the air to be fully expelled.

C. Repeat A & B a minimum of 3 minutes, at least twice a day.

3.

Relax with your hands in your lap for 1 minute.