breathe on purpose

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The information presented here is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed healthcare professional, nor is it intended to prevent, diagnose, or cure illness or disease. Please consult your primary healthcare professional before making any changes or additions to your current routine.

Ujjayi (oo-jai) breath is also known as oceanic breathing and the victorious breath. Because of the sound you make, I like to call it the Darth Vader breath.

Ujjayi is often used during Hatha practice to help maintain focus through the asana flow, during other forms of physical activity, and to also relieve tension and nervous energy.

With this breath, you’re only breathing through your nose, while slightly constricting the throat along with a root and chest lock. These locks are called bandhas, For more about bandhas, check out Yoga International’s A Beginner’s Guide to Bandhas. 

You may become lightheaded during this breathwork, so it’s highly suggested that you spend a few minutes in long deep breathing before you begin the Ujjayi.

#BreatheOnPurpose uses the Insight Timer.

This episode is supported by my affiliate relationship with REI. As an affiliate, I receive a commission for sales made through the links I share with you. I’ve been an REI Co-Op member for several years, after getting to know their brand and mission during my two years as an Outdoor Afro Team Leader. For the third year in a row, REI will be closing all of its stores to #OptOutside with family and friends on Black Friday. REI invites you to create a new Black Friday tradition by spending time in the outdoors with those you love as well. Learn more by clicking here.

#BreatheOnPurpose is hosted on the Blubrry platform using the Blubrry Powerpress Plugin. Ready to start your own podcast? Get a full month of hosting for free through this link.

Header photo (c) Wookieepedia The Star Wars Wiki

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Breathe on Purpose is hosted on the Blubrry Platform using the Blubrry Powerpress plugin. Ready to help others live on purpose? Get started with your own podcast free for one month by clicking here. 

Breathe on Purpose is intended for education and instructional purposes only, and is not intended to be perceived as or replace the advice of a licensed medical professional. Please exercise personal wisdom and discretion. 

Breathe on Purpose uses the Insight Timer.

Today’s breathwork exercise is modified from the Postural Restoration Institute’s 90-90 Hip Lift with Balloon.

Instructional Videos

• 90-90 Hip Lift with Balloon
• Diaphragmatic Breathing sitting down
• Diaphragmatic Breathing standing up

If you know of a video that has a better explanation, please feel free to link to it in the comments.

This episode is supported by HoopYogini
HoopYogini is a movement practice integrating Hula hooping with Hatha yoga and Mindfulness meditation.

For beginners and seasoned hoopers and yoginis alike, you’ll learn to hoop like a HoopYogini with HoopYogini’s Foundations and Flow bundle, a series of instructional videos you can download and practice anywhere.

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I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart.

I am, I am, I am.

~ Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

If you have time, allow yourself to relax for couple of minutes on your back after completing this breathwork meditation. Give yourself a good full body stretch before getting back into the swing of things.  The 4/4 breath has a similar navel action to Breath of Fire, as practiced in Ego Eradicator.

What do you notice about your breathing, your mood/mental state, and your body during and after this breathwork experience?

Have a question, comment, or feedback? Leave a comment below or connect with me on Twitter @honeybholistic with #breatheonpurpose.

Breathe On Purpose uses the Insight Timer.

The information presented herein is for education and information purposes, and is not intended to replace the advice and care of a licensed healthcare professional. Please honor your body and your well-being by using your own personal wisdom and discretion as you participate in this experience.

If you’ve ever found it difficult to sit still and quiet your mind during meditation, breathwork, also known as pranayama, may make all the difference. Meditation in its simplest explanation, is focus. A daily practice of focused breathing can help to relieve tension and stress, increase energy levels, increase oxygen and improve blood flow, ease anxiety and depression, aide in muscle relaxation, make sleep more restful, and increase one’s overall well-being.

There’s no right or wrong way to breathe, so your experience will be your own. While I offer suggestions for creating an intentional space, breathing on purpose does not require any special tools or equipment, and can be done anywhere and at anytime, sitting, standing, walking, and lying down. As you learn the breathwork exercise, it may be helpful to begin in an upright position.

Once you are familiar with the breathwork exercise, you can practice however you like. For the purposes of this demonstration, Breathe on Purpose is three minutes. You are welcome to go longer or shorter, as your time and desire allow.

Breathe on Purpose is offered in-person through my workshops and via phone as an extended practice to members of Honeybee Wellness Club.

Honeybee Wellness Club offers a 7-Step practice for creating sustainable health and wellness without dieting, detoxing, and deprivation.

“May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you guide your way home” is the closing song of classes in the tradition of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan/3HO. It is adapted from the lyrics of “A Very Cellular Song” performed by The Incredible String Band and written by Mike Heron.

I am a KRI Level I Kundalini Yoga Instructor since 2005, trained under Gurucharan Khalsa, Guru Dharam Khalsa, Nirbhe Kaur, and Mahan Rishi Singh with additional studies in Naam Yoga under Joseph Michael Levry.

Breath is essential to life. It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we leave. In between that time, we take about half a billion breaths. What we may not realize is that the mind, body, and breath are intimately connected and can influence each other. Our breathing is influenced by our thoughts, and our thoughts and physiology can be influenced by our breath. Learning to breathe consciously and with awareness is the fourth limb of yoga, and it can be a valuable tool in helping to restore balance in the mind and body.

From  Breathing for Life: The Mind-Body Healing Benefits of Pranayama

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart.

I am, I am, I am.

~ Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Kundalini Yogis make funny faces and noises during our yoga practice.

Sitali Pranayam is a cooling breathwork medition, the opposite of the Breath of Fire breathwork meditation we did last week.

What do you notice about your breathing, your mood/mental state, and your body during and after this breathwork experience?

Have a question, comment, or feedback? Leave a comment below or connect with me on Twitter @honeybholistic with #breatheonpurpose.

Breathe On Purpose uses the Insight Timer.

The information presented herein is for education and information purposes, and is not intended to replace the advice and care of a licensed healthcare professional. Please honor your body and your well-being by using your own personal wisdom and discretion as you participate in this experience.

If you’ve ever found it difficult to sit still and quiet your mind during meditation, breathwork, also known as pranayama, may make all the difference. Meditation in its simplest explanation, is focus. A daily practice of focused breathing can help to relieve tension and stress, increase energy levels, increase oxygen and improve blood flow, ease anxiety and depression, aide in muscle relaxation, make sleep more restful, and increase one’s overall well-being.

There’s no right or wrong way to breathe, so your experience will be your own. While I offer suggestions for creating an intentional space, breathing on purpose does not require any special tools or equipment, and can be done anywhere and at anytime, sitting, standing, walking, and lying down. As you learn the breathwork exercise, it may be helpful to begin in an upright position.

Once you are familiar with the breathwork exercise, you can practice however you like. For the purposes of this demonstration, Breathe on Purpose is three minutes. You are welcome to go longer or shorter, as your time and desire allow.

Breathe on Purpose is offered in-person through my workshops and via phone as an extended practice to members of Honeybee Wellness Club.

Honeybee Wellness Club offers a 7-Step practice for creating sustainable health and wellness without dieting, detoxing, and deprivation.

“May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you guide your way home” is the closing song of classes in the tradition of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan/3HO. It is adapted from the lyrics of “A Very Cellular Song” performed by The Incredible String Band and written by Mike Heron.

I am a KRI Level I Kundalini Yoga Instructor since 2005, trained under Gurucharan Khalsa, Guru Dharam Khalsa, Nirbhe Kaur, and Mahan Rishi Singh with additional studies in Naam Yoga under Joseph Michael Levry. 

Breath is essential to life. It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we leave. In between that time, we take about half a billion breaths. What we may not realize is that the mind, body, and breath are intimately connected and can influence each other. Our breathing is influenced by our thoughts, and our thoughts and physiology can be influenced by our breath. Learning to breathe consciously and with awareness is the fourth limb of yoga, and it can be a valuable tool in helping to restore balance in the mind and body.

From  Breathing for Life: The Mind-Body Healing Benefits of Pranayama