How to Breathe in Yoga

In the yoga world, many students, teachers, and influencers talk a good game. They claim to understand yoga—a movement system guided and driven by our breathing. But when it comes to actually applying this principle, many fall short. Most people (in my experience) end up prioritising the aesthetics of a pose over everything else. This has now become the norm.

Teachers often guide when to inhale and exhale, but in my experience, this instruction is often just part of a script. Many don’t understand how to initiate movement or breathe properly, nor do they appreciate the magic that occurs within the body when we breathe correctly. Correct breathing isn’t just physiologically beneficial for brain health and the nervous system; it’s fundamental to what makes yoga truly yoga.

You can perform a pose imperfectly, but if you breathe correctly, you honour one of the most sacred principles of yoga. You align with your breath. According to legend, 15,000 years ago, the first student of yoga, the princess Parvati asked her husband, the first yogi, Adi Yogi (Shiva), how one could experience a reality beyond themselves—how to transcend what it means to be human. Shiva didn’t provide any philosophy; he gave only methods. The first eight methods focused entirely on breathing.

By paying close attention to our breathing, we can hear what our body is trying to tell us. Breathing is the bridge between us and something greater. Breathing correctly transcends science; it touches the sacred core of yoga.

We are made from stardust ✨—the remnants of stars that exploded billions of years ago, scattering their elements into the cosmos. Every day, the universe enters us through our nose and lungs, reconnecting us with those lost stars. This is deeply philosophical and empowering.

When we prioritise breathing over the glory of the pose, we momentarily transcend what it means to be human. We connect with something far greater. And this Union - is Yoga.

The video below forms part of our 'How to Breathe In Yoga' CPD - Available soon,

Recommended read - The Meaning behind Namaste

https://www.akramyoga.co.uk/single-post/the-meaning-of-namaste-bowing-to-the-cosmic-connection

Zahir Akram - Eternal Seeker

---------------------------------

Interested in deepening your practice or teaching skills?

Our online training courses are now available, offering comprehensive content on anatomy, biomechanics, and yoga philosophy. These courses are designed to support students and yoga teachers in their continued development.

We also offer in-house Yoga Teacher Training here at our studio in Addlestone, Surrey, UK.

For more information on our online courses, mentoring or to book in-house training, email Zahir.

Zahir@AkramYoga.co.uk