Full Yogic Breath is a deeply balancing Pranayam. It is known as three-part breath because it works with three different sections of the torso and naturally engages all three lobes of the lungs. Full Yogic Breath revitalizes the entire body with Prana (life force). It benefits the vital organs, which can easily become stagnant, constricted with emotional and physical tension when we experience stress.
Full Yogic Breath relieves stress, refreshes the mind, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging a calmer, more balanced state of being overall. It also helps to correct unhealthy breathing patterns.
Full Yogic Breath begins with a deep and fluid inhalation that fills three sections of the torso independently, but continuously. First, we breathe into the lower abdomen. Then, we breathe into the mid-section of the torso, expanding the diaphragm and the ribs as the inhalation continues, finally, we draw the breath into the upper chest and shoulders as the inhalation comes to a close.
This pranayama can be practice at any time, recommended time five to fifteen minutes every day, preferably on an empty stomach and ideally early in the morning.
If you follow Aryuveda know that the full Yogic breath benefits vata, pitta, and kapha.
This slow and purposeful inhalation is then followed by a long, slow, gentle exhale, expelling the breath from these same three sections of the torso in reverse order, releasing the upper chest, then the diaphragm and ribs, and finally the lower abdomen. One round of Full Yogic Breath includes one complete inhalation and one complete exhalation.
In tradition of the Ananda School of Yoga, we practice the full Yogic breath with flowing forward fold, we start in Tadasana (mountain pose) raising our arms as we start the inhalation of the full Yogic breath until we stretch our arms to the sky as our lungs get full, we pause, then as we start our exhalation we begin our forward fold.
Both the inhalation and the exhalation should feel fluid and continuous; at no point should either one cause any strain whatsoever. As for all practices this breath may take some time to become intentional, comfortable and fluid. One step at a time, make this Pranayama your own it will enrich your health and your life. Full Yogic breath video
