Often, and especially at Yoga, we talk about breathing patterns to calm us down, to help us to relax, to unwind. But we can use the breath to engerize, too. I tend to use it at times when I feel tired after a bad night sleep, struggling with jet lag or when I feel exhausted during a work out. It is kind of a quick-fix!
There are several “energising breaths” out there but here I will share my to “go-to” versions.
Attention: Some breathing exercises may cause dizziness to some people, especially when new to it, or exhausted. If you start to feel dizzy – stop immediately and return to normal breathing!
Do not practise breathing exercises with a cold or when you encounter any other breathing discomfort!
Quick short breathing
- Inhale normal (not actively) so that the muscles in the chest are relaxed, preferably through the nose
- Exhale through the mouth with a quick, short exhalation, the upper chest will compress a bit
- The inhalation will be longer than the exhalation (so an opposite to the relaxation breath!)
- Depending on how I feel I repeat this quick breathing 10-20 times
I tend to use this breathing during exercise, when I need to get some energy back during a run and such.
Another one is the “Rapid Breath of Fire”. It is a good one to use when you sit comfortable, and need a “pick me up” while you work, study or simply have to go on with the day.
- Sit comfortable, if you can try to sit tall
- Relax the stomach muscles
- Try to keep breathing in and out through the nose only, so keep the mouth closed
- Inhale deeply through the nose
- Exhale through the nose
- Then begin to breathe faster, rapidly in and out
- Focus on the navel area and pump that area in and out with each breath, pushing the belly button towards the spine with each quick exhalation
- Repeat 5-15 times
The breath will be shallow to be quick.
Try to keep the in- and exhalation equally fast.
Wishing you a lovely day,
AK