Hello, I have a quick question that has been brewing in me for a while now.
How important is it to exhale in downward dog? Because I find it impossible, in fact moving into it (from upward dog) forces me to inhale. Any idea why that is?
I practice ashtanga from Richard Freemans DVD and I’m skinny like David Swenson (If that’s important).
childofthetao,
Inhale fully in upward dog or cobra just before going to downward dog, and the rest will happen naturally.
siva
yes, when you are talking about vinyasa… but some yoga styles keep the posture for few breaths… here one has to inhale and exhale in the same posture…
[QUOTE=CityMonk;65515]yes, when you are talking about vinyasa… but some yoga styles keep the posture for few breaths… here one has to inhale and exhale in the same posture…[/QUOTE]
Citymonk,
This is correct, however one learns where to finish each posture with the proper breathing before moving on. Just make sure you exhale completely before the transition and the inhalation will come. It has to.
siva
[QUOTE=siva;65513]childofthetao,
Inhale fully in upward dog or cobra just before going to downward dog, and the rest will happen naturally.
siva[/QUOTE]
I tried that today. No breath comes out naturally, and if I try to exhale I can only push a tiny amoount of breath.
I’ll just have to live it, it can’t be too bad right?
[QUOTE=childofthetao;65551]I tried that today. No breath comes out naturally, and if I try to exhale I can only push a tiny amoount of breath.
I’ll just have to live it, it can’t be too bad right?[/QUOTE]
IF you?ve lowered your diaphragm and filled your lungs completely on the up-dog it would nearly be impossible not to feel a natural exhale urge on the down-dog transition, not? Perhaps take the mind out of it?
Any movements into any asana where the head/torso is moving DOWN…the breath goes OUT…then breathing once in the asana.
Movements into asanas where the head/torso are lifting UP the breath moves IN.
There are issues with blood pressure changes which make this important…but I need to check my info on this…
To me it feels very odd to be breathing in during a downward movement of head/torso…perhaps you are straining or forcing…or thinking too much…
Going into downward dog should defiantly be on out breath…breathing in again once there…and out and in…
Once in downward dog I can manage to push a small amount of breath out.That is with inhaling fully in upward dog, but can not even force an exhale whilst moving from upward dog to downward dog.
To me my head movement has no bearing whatsoever on my breath/diaphram. I do have an extreme amount of tension all over my body though (back from my dark drug abuse days).
Thanks for the information, it just one more way in which I realised I’ve messed up my body.
Ok I?m leaning towards less concern about breath during asana saving that awareness for pranayama practice.
I will heed your advice.Thank you.