Breath

Yogic philosophy teaches us that our breath carries "prana", the universal life energy, into our body.

Our bodies are containers for prana - the more we have the healthier and more vital we are. When we have less, we fall into lethargy and illness.

Scientifically, our breath brings in oxygen, which nourishes our cells, and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic waste, creating an inner cleanse. Most people use only 10% of their lung capacity, inhibiting the life-giving benefits that deep breathing offers us.

Our breath is a direct link to our nervous system, and the use of calm controlled breathing can take us from being in a "sympathetic nervous state" (fight or flight) to "parasympathetic" (rest and renew). As modern life is full of external stresses, taking time to focus on breathing deeply and fully is essential in reducing stress and restoring health.