Correct form of breathing

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi

I have restarted pranayam after many years of gap. I have some questions
about the technique of breathing. Currently I am doing simple alternate breathing taught by Swami Ramdev. Now some people say that we have to
do abdominal breathing , which means that we primarily move our abdomen
while inhaling and exhaling. But I am reading one book on science of breath by Yogi Ramacharaka, and he says that we have to do ‘Yogi Complete
breathing’. He describes it thus

  1. Stand or sit erect. Breathing through the nostrils, inhale steadily, first filling
    the lower part of the lungs, which is accomplished by bringing into play the
    diaphragm, which descending exerts a gentle pressure on the
    abdominal organs, pushing forward the front walls of the abdomen. Then fill
    the middle part of the lungs, pushing out the lower ribs, breast-bone and
    chest. Then fill the higher portion of the lungs, protruding the upper chest,
    thus lifting the chest, including the upper six or seven pairs of ribs. In
    the final movement, the lower part of the abdomen will be slightly drawn
    in, which movement gives the lungs a support and also helps to fill the
    highest part of the lungs.
    At first reading it may appear that this breath consists of three distinct
    movements. This, however, is not the correct idea. The inhalation is
    continuous, the entire chest cavity from the lowered diaphragm to the
    highest point of the chest in the region of the collar-bone, being expanded
    with a uniform movement. Avoid a jerky series of inhalations, and strive to
    attain a steady continuous action. Practice will soon overcome the tendency
    to divide the inhalation into three movements, and will result in a uniform
    continuous breath. You will be able to complete the inhalation in a couple
    of seconds after a little practice.
  2. Retain the breath a few seconds.
  3. Exhale quite slowly, holding the chest in a firm position, and having the
    abdomen in a little and lifting it upward slowly as the air leaves the lungs.
    When the air is entirely exhaled, relax the chest and abdomen. A little
    practice will render this part of the exercise easy, and the movement once
    acquired will be afterwards performed almost automatically.

So there is abdominal breathing plus raising of shoulders and chest.
So which is considered correct technique ?

thanks

#2

I always understood abdominal breathing to be what we should be doing all day long. This yogi breathing described above would be difficult to maintain constantly throughout a normal day I would think, as it takes focus and concentration.

#3

Hi joanna

at least for beginning practitioners like me, abdominal breathing is the way to go. may be after some years, when one is good at basic breathing, one can go for this yogic style.
thats what i think.

#4

Dear Issac,

It’s important to understand that this is a graduated process, built up over a period of years. One needs first to fully establish strength and control in “lower breathing” before moving on to ribs and clavicle. If not, there is the possibility you will merely lift that space (you create in the abdominal cavity) up into the ribs and clavicle, which is incorrect. You have to maintain that space fully down below, and then open the ribs above without “lifting” (a poor choice of terms). This can take more than several years of diligent practice before one attains this strength and control. Doing so prematurely will only impede your progress.

Stick with the “lower-breathing” only, and you will find the following stages will occur naturally, and at the appropriate time. Wait for this before going on. Be patient.

siva

#5

A complete Yogic breath is putting the 3 parts together - the belly, mid-chest and upper chest.

The belly breath is important because it strengthens the diaphragm and encourages it to drop, which creates the vacuum effect, expanding the lungs downward.

The mid and upper chest help to fill the mid and upper lobes of the lungs with air, and strengthen and stretch the muscles in the ribcage, so the ribs can expand more.

Putting them together makes the complete, 3-part yogic breath. I have videos on how to learn the 3 parts and then to put them together properly for the complete 3-part breath, on my website. Here’s the link to the pranayama page if you’re interested.

http://www.doyogawithme.com/yoga_breathing

David

#6

Thanks David. I will look them