Breathing Exercises

It’s well documented that practicing breath control through yoga can help with the body’s stress response. However, for Black people living in America, the connection to breath is complex.

Breath exercise helps to strengthen and improve lung capacity, either after surgery, as a way to cope with a chronic condition, or simply as a training method for increasing lung function. Recently, lung health is on people’s minds now more than ever. The same way you exercise and strengthen muscles, you can also exercise and strengthen your lungs. Results from consistently using a breathing exercise device include greater cough strength, greater lung capacity, and improved airflow. These devices are compact and feature unique designs for achieving results. Consider the size and features when choosing a breathing exerciser for yourself, but remember that results only come from dedicated use.

This month, when you're too tired, stressed, and busy to roll out your yoga mat, try finding stillness and peace by practicing one (or all) of these three calming breathing exercises.

In part two of this three-part series on The Science of Breathing, learn how to take advantage of the power of the breath on the mat in various types of poses and with five different pranayama techniques.