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Stressed? You Have to Tried This Breathing Technique

9/6/2022

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Did that recent email leave you rattled? Perhaps the relaxing appeal of coming home after a long day at the office is long-gone since work-from-home became your reality. 

Sometimes a few deep breaths does the trick, but when you're looking for a breathing exercise that offers a more full-body experience this go-to technique can bring big relief.

Prone Breathing or Crocodile Pose Breathing
This breathing technique is pretty simple. All you need is your body and a yoga mat or any flat surface you feel comfortable lying on.
  • Lay belly down and create a diamond shape with your hands.
  • Place your brow on the top of the diamond so that your nose has space between your hands and the floor - because we don't want to smush your cute nose.
  • Then, begin to breath deeply in through your nose and out through your nose or your mouth.
  • Focus on sending your breath  as low into your abdomen as possible and pay attention to your abdomen pressing into the floor while the rest of your torso inflates with air
  • Continue this breathing practice for 10-20 breaths or longer.
Why It Works
This breathing technique is a form of diaphragmatic breathing, or deep belly breathing. What is unique about prone breathing, or breathing face down, is that it has also been studied and shown improved oxygenation too. Now in medical studies the prone breathing was done for very long periods of time to demonstrate a medically significant effect.

But in shorter durations such as a couple minute pranayama practice there are benefits too. The diaphragm is a muscle and just like any other muscle with work we can can actually train it to be stronger.  With prone breathing, like with other more restrictive breathing like ujjayi, we are introducing  resistance and overtime our muscle gets stronger from meeting the resistance. 

Deep breathing is known to reduce stress levels by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the house-keeping or 'rest and digest' side of the nervous system. When our bodies are able to switch from a state of heightened arousal to a state of rest and digest we begin to feel more calm and relaxed.

Practice this breathing technique anytime you need to relieve some stress and strengthen your deep breathing skills.
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    Body. Mind. Spirit.

    Author

    Hi there! You found me. My name is Julia Marie Lopez. For 20 years I have studied meditation and mindful movement as my primary tools for healing. For the past 10 years I have worked as a wellness business owner, the Founder of Practice Everywhere, and now I am embarking on a new adventure to expand how we define our Personal and Public Practices.

    My favorite experience is the feeling I receive when someone else feels supported by something I've created. 

    So this site is more than a lifestyle or healthy living blog, My approach to writing it is to offer my perspective and input that inspires happier, and healthier living on your own terms - because that's what I want too! We get to define our own parameters for what a happy and healthy live means to us.

    XO,
    Julia

    ​Since I offer you my experience and perspective, share my writing about life, love and wellness, and offer a bit of unsolicited advice, I think you should also know that I do include affiliate links and promotions in some of blogs. If you make an action (such as sign ups, memberships, or purchases) I might earn a commission. I promise to use this income to support my love of coffee, dogs, yoga, and my family (in no particular order).💜 

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Photo used under Creative Commons from Cea.
  • Home
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    • Thurs 6 PM @ Yoga Vida ATX
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