The Breath

I'll start of this post with a quote from Yogi Bhajan:

"If there is anything Divine in you, its the breath"

I've been teaching Kundalini Yoga for 3 years & practicing for 7, yet I still catch myself shallow breathing and when this happens, I instantly take a Long deep breath and bring my focus back to conscious breathing

Here's a few principles to remind ourselves to breath consciously (Pranayam)

Incoming breath of life is PRANA
Outcoming breath is APANA

Your rate of breathing and your state of mind are inseparable
The slower your rate of breathing, the more control you have over your mind.
The mind follows the breath and the body follows the mind

One of the best Pranayams to begin slowing down the mind is Long Deep Breathing.

To begin:

Sit up straight with legs crossed (Sukh Asan) or 'easy-pose'. Your hands can be resting on your knees or in 'Gyan Mudra', forefinger and thumb tips pressed together. The other three fingers are straight or you can lie on your back. keep your arms by your side. Palms facing up and begin inhaling and exhaling as deeply as possible threw the nose in either of these positions.
focus your attention on the inhale and exhale.
Inhale deeply threw the nose, relax the abdomen ( you may also push out the abdomen(navel point) to create this effect). Feel as though you are pulling your breath down into the navel center. The breath than begins to fill the abdomen expanding like a balloon as it does, fills the lungs expanding the diaphragm the ribs and opening the chest. Keep inhaling till you have filled the lungs to capacity, than begin to exhale, emptying the lungs from top to bottom. Pulling the navel point in slightly on the exhale. Expelling the breath out completely. Breath deep as you follow the breath out.
Begin the process again. Slowly inhaling deeply & exhaling commpletely.



Inhale feeling energized revitalized & strong
Exhale releasing toxins, fear & doubt

Continue for 3 minutes to start
When you are finished, notice any changes you feel. Has your breathing slowed down? do you feel calmer? Are your thoughts clearer?
Practice as often and as long as you like.


Long Deep Breathing has the ability to:

Strengthen the nervous system
Purify the bloodstream
energize,Increase vitality
Relax & calm you
Reduce insecurity & fear
Release block in meridian flow
Pump spinal fluid to the brain
Restores the aura

The list can go on & on
It is suggested to do this meditation for 3 mins, eleven mins 31 mins or more
3 mins to start is good!