Breath
Did you know that the words: respiration,
inspiration and aspiration all share the same Latin root with the word “spirit”
– or spiritus, whose Latin meaning is “breath?”
Respiration (the act of breathing) fuels one’s body at its very core. Inspiration
(creative thought) and aspiration (creative ambition) fuel one’s soul. Conscious
and conscientious breathing – one might otherwise call this
infusing the body with spirit – are cornerstones of all yoga
practice. As such, while moving into an asana, 95% of the time, we inhale as
our body is extending and exhale as our body is contracting. During posture
holds – as in Hatha, we pay attention to the natural inflow and outflow of air
from the body. If we begin to lose a pose due to loss of balance, a gentle
exhalation will help us to re-align. If we begin to weaken, a deliberate
inhalation will revitalize us.
With these adjustments, our spirit is lifted as
we regain balance and strength. We are once again inspired
to carry on.
Often times – particularly in Vinyasa
– we engage in a sequence that is a series of bodily extensions which are followed
immediately with bodily contractions. More specifically, when the body expands or
lengthens, we inhale. When the body shortens or bends into itself, we exhale. Salutation to the Sun is a perfect example; we stretch up to
the sky (inhale), bend forward at the waist (exhale), extend left leg outward
(inhale then exhale), extend right leg outward (inhale) and so forth. See the illustration below. Our
breath keeps us balanced both physically and mentally for it continually re-vitalizes the body
as we expend energy. 
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