{"id":80796,"date":"2018-01-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yogapedia.com\/2018\/01\/12\/inhale-new-beginnings-with-these-3-morning-breathing-exercises"},"modified":"2018-04-06T11:45:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T14:59:24","slug":"inhale-new-beginnings-with-these-3-morning-breathing-exercises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yogapedia.com\/inhale-new-beginnings-with-these-3-morning-breathing-exercises\/2\/10677","title":{"rendered":"Inhale New Beginnings With These 3 Morning Breathing Exercises"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/em>Just like a new year, every inhale is considered a new beginning. The beauty of the breath<\/a> is that it’s cyclical, rooting us to the essence of life. Eckhart Tolle said “One conscious breath—in and out—is a meditation<\/a>,” and I think those words couldn’t be more true.<\/p>\n

In yoga<\/a>, we’re encouraged to draw attention to the breath along with the asanas<\/a>—helping us meditate and look inward. Pranayama<\/em><\/a> is the fourth limb of yoga and considered the core of the practice, but you don’t have to be doing yoga to experience the benefits of deep and mindful<\/a> breathing.<\/p>\n

(Here's how Conscious Breathing Will Boost Your Yoga Practice<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

When I first started meditating each morning, I began incorporating breathing into my practice. I’m not talking about just ordinary, subconscious breathing. I mean the full, deep breaths that make us feel different. Taking time to breathe in a conscious way has countless benefits. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system<\/a>, can help control stress and promote muscle relaxation, to name a few.<\/p>\n

There are many types of breathing you can incorporate for different benefits, and they all have positive outcomes for the mind<\/a>, body and soul<\/a>. Along with the other Eight Limbs of Yoga<\/a>, learning to breathe consciously can help restore balance and inner peace.<\/p>\n

Here are three types of breathing exercises you can incorporate into your morning routine.<\/p>\n

Getting Started<\/h2>\n

Like me, you may be familiar with some of these breathing techniques from yoga classes. But before you get started, it’s always important to sit comfortably and to take a few relaxed breaths. Take an elongated inhale and notice how you feel. Now exhale just as deeply. Doesn’t it feel like you’re welcoming transformation and change? You can start with 10 seconds and build to longer increments of time as your body is ready. Always ensure your breathing is even.<\/p>\n

Full Belly Breathing<\/h2>\n

Breathing with your belly may conjure an interesting mental image because you are so used to breathing with your lungs. This type of breathing is also known as deep breathing<\/a> or abdominal breathing because it originates from the diaphragm—the region below the lungs. When you practice full belly breathing, you become more conscious of your breath, helping you to relax almost instantly. You can almost feel the tension leaving your body.<\/p>\n

(More on Exhaling Muscle Pain & Tension: 3 Benefits of Yogic Breathing (Plus a Sample Exercise)<\/a>.)<\/p>\n