The Physiological Sigh:

Stress is something we all experience. In little and big ways, stress is perhaps the biggest monster we will ever battle in life — it doesn’t go away, it changes shape and form without warning, and it shows up during the most inconvenient times. So, one of the wisest things we can do is spend time daily strengthening our ability to manage it.

The beautiful thing is: the one tool we have that is most helpful in managing stress is right under our nose. Yep, our breath. And we have access to it 24/7.

Breath control = stress control.

The main reason yoga feels so good is that it helps us learn how to breathe better. As we practice taking deeper breaths, we expand our lung capacity, which science has proven to be directly linked to increased wellness.

After all, breathwork, or pranayama, is one of the eight limbs of yoga outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of the Vedic philosophy of yoga. Yoga posture, or asana, is another of the eight limbs, but it’s just one piece of the pie. Yoga is a lifestyle that invites us to embrace the totality of who we are, how we relate to ourselves and others, and how we show up in the world — and purifying our body (through asana and pranayama practices) is part of how we get there.

Why Breathing Better Matters

Improving the way we breathe can have significant positive impacts on various aspects of our lives. Here’s how:

1. Stress Reduction: Deep, diaphragmatic breathing activates the body’s relaxation response, helping to reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol and inducing a sense of calmness and relaxation.

2. Enhanced Mental Clarity and Focus: Proper breathing techniques can increase oxygen flow to the brain, improving cognitive function, focus, and mental clarity, which can lead to sharpened concentration and a boost in productivity.

3. Improved Energy Levels: Conscious breathing techniques can increase oxygenation of the blood and improve respiratory efficiency, leading to increased energy levels and reduced feelings of fatigue.

4. Better Sleep Quality: Deep, slow breathing before bedtime can help calm the nervous system and prepare the body for more restful, rejuvenating sleep.

5. Emotional Regulation: Breathwork can help us manage difficult emotions such as anxiety, anger, or sadness. By practicing mindfulness and deep breathing during times of emotional distress, we can cultivate greater emotional resilience and respond more effectively to challenging situations.

6. Improved Respiratory Health: Conscious breathing techniques can strengthen the respiratory muscles, increase lung capacity, and improve overall respiratory function.

7. Enhanced Physical Performance: Proper breathing techniques are essential for optimizing physical performance during exercise or strenuous activities. By learning to synchronize our breath with movement and practicing techniques such as rhythmic breathing or breath control, we can improve endurance, efficiency, and performance.

8. Support for Overall Well-being: Breathing better is an integral part of self-care and holistic health practices. By prioritizing mindful breathing and incorporating breathwork into our daily lives, we can promote overall well-being, reduce the risk of stress-related health problems, and enhance our quality of life.

This week I am excited to share with you a feel-good breathwork technique introduced by Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine known for his work on brain function, neuroplasticity, and optimal performance. Huberman emphasizes the importance of breathwork as a powerful tool for promoting mental, emotional, and physical health.