Sitali Breath – Cooling Breath

Heating up from the hot weather? Try this breath. It is both cooling and calming which is perfect for hot summer months. Plus, this breath reminds us that we have more power and control over our bodies, our lives and ultimately our reactions to life, including the weather. Hooray! So cool (literally)!

Benefits include:
– cools the body
– adds moisture to the body (so perfect for Arizonans!)
– reduces fatigue

Sitting tall, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, then open your mouth and form your lips into an “O.” Curl your tongue lengthwise and stick it out of your mouth just a little bit. Inhale deeply across your tongue and into your mouth as if drinking through a straw. Notice the cooling sensation of the breath. Try for 1 to 2 minutes. Bring your tongue in and close your mouth, exhaling through the nostrils.

***Not recommended if you have heart problems.

Sitkari Breath

(the name of the breath with the teeth touching)

Benefits include:
– cools the body
– balances your hormones naturally
– increases vitality

Sitting with your eyes closed, gently press your bottom and top teeth together and separate your lips as much as you comfortably can, so your teeth are exposed to the air. Inhale slowly through your teeth and focus on the sound of your breath. Try for 1 to 2 minutes. Close your mouth and slowly exhale through your nose.

***Not recommended if you have high blood pressure.

These are best used during hot weather months, after a heated exercise practice, or when experiencing anger.

Years ago I started using these breathing techniques throughout my day instead of just on my yoga mat and my life truly started to change for the better.

There are tons of benefits to these and I will share them below.

My favorite benefits are mental health benefits!

These breathing techniques help me shift from low energy to high energy, from negative to positive, from my workday to family time, from my day to sleep, and so on.

I used to wait to have time to have a full yoga practice to experience these benefits and now I can get them anytime I want in a short amount of time.

Want to consistently release negative energy and shift to a higher vibration?

Then get started with these 3 breaths!

Releasing Breath

Great in the afternoon for shifting from day to night, work to family time, and at the end of the day. Using the arms is optional.

This breath helps clear your mind, feel more in control of your emotions, and releases negative energy.

Sitting tall, you inhale with 4 sniffs, and then take one long exhale. Repeat for 4 cycles or for 1 to 3 minutes.

Breath of Fire

Great in the morning or anytime for energy.

This breath helps strengthen your nervous system to respond to stress with greater ease, increases lung capacity, energy, and endurance, plus it can help with addictive tendencies.

Sitting tall, take quick inhales and exhales of equal length. The area above the navel point naturally comes in on the exhale and releases on the inhale. Try it for 3 rounds or set a timer for 1 to 3 minutes.

Take a break if you feel dizzy.

Not recommended if you are pregnant or menstruating.

Deep Breathing – Grounding Breath

Simple breath perfect for when you are feeling frazzled, worried, up in your head, focused outside of yourself, etc.

Use anytime you want to feel more grounded.

Reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, releases toxins and tensions, and is calming.

Sit tall, inhale for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4. That is one round.

Try it for 3 rounds or set a timer for longer.

These can all be used as a meditation. You can also try to meditate after doing one of these for a few minutes. It helps to get you out of your head and into your body.

Kerry Burki | Tend To Your Vibration

Month: June 2017

2 Breathing Techniques to Cool You Down and Chill You Out!