Control YOUR BREATH

average, your body takes around 23,000 breaths a day. From the instant you are born to the moment you die, your breath is your constant companion – providing cells with life-giving oxygen, removing toxins and reflecting the state of your mind and emotions. In yogic philosophy, breath is linked with prana – the all-pervading energy that nourishes and sustains all living things. Prana also refers to the upward-movement of energy in the body, created by the in-breath. You can experience this for yourself by taking a deep, rich inhalation and noticing how it invigorates and refreshes you. Its opposite, apana, removes toxicity and waste, and is connected to the out-breath, associated with the downward movement of energy. After inhaling, let go into a long slow exhalation, and observe its calming, grounding effect. It’s this dance – receiving the inhalation and surrendering on the exhalation – that feeds your yoga practice. It will help you attune to your natural rhythm and bring a sense of rooted stillness as you work through the poses. Aim to breathe for an equal length on the inhale and exhale, through your nose if you can, as