Breath of Joy

Like a conductor guiding the breath through the belly, ribs and shoulders this dramatic and fun pranayama energizes, warms and invigorates the body.  This full-body exercise is a powerful tool against depression.  When the mind and heart stagnate from too much sitting, study or contemplation, the breath of joy returns us to a balanced, oxygenated state.

This sequence consists of three short nasal inhalations: while lifting arms out in front of the body to shoulder-height, while opening the arms at shoulder-height and then above the head.  The exhalation is forceful and comes from the mouth as the arms move quickly down toward the floor and the body moves into a squat.   You can do this exercise seated if a squat is not accessible to you.  It is very important to monitor your body’s responses and be mindful of lightheadedness or loss of balance.

Benefits

This is an excellent warm-up for any routine and can be helpful in getting ready for more difficult stretches or practices.  It has the ability to break up and move stagnant energies in the body and therefore can be considered the best breath for cleansing.  It is very gently detoxifying and after a few rounds you may notice a relaxed, detached state of awareness.