Breathe Easy & Live Well

Pranayama, which literally means "to extend the vital life force," or prana, is an incredibly rich practice made up of many breathing techniques that vary in complexity from ones simple enough for a child to do to those appropriate only for advanced practitioners. While the best way to practice pranayama is under the guidance of an experienced teacher, there are simple techniques—such as gentle diaphragmatic breathing and comfortably lengthening the exhalation—that can be used at any time to transform not only your breath but also your state of mind.

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes pranayama as a process by which you can break your unconscious breathing pattern and make the breath long, easeful, and smooth. Most people's unconscious breathing patterns are anything but easeful and smooth; they tend to be tense, shallow, and erratic. When we are afraid or hear bad news, we often gasp—inhaling and then holding the breath. These breathing patterns can activate the sympathetic nervous system (often referred to as the "fight or flight response").

These simple breathing exercises are of ancient times. Proven and practiced for hundreds of years. All you need is yourself, your attention and.. your breath.

Sama Vritti (Box Breath)

A beautifully accessible teachnique for any moment of your day.

This practices helps to calm and centre the nervous system.

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath)

An incredibly powerful breathing practice that can help settle and balance your body, mind, and emotions.

Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath)

A pranayama practice but it's also one of the six cleansing practices of hatha yoga. It's benefits include clearing mucus related obstructions, relieving the body of carbon dioxide and other volatile.

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