Breathe Well, Live Well

When you become stressed or anxious, your breath and thoughts change rapidly?  Your breath becomes shallow and rapid and your thoughts spin out of control as your mind projects into a troublesome future filled with "what ifs." Pranayama, the yogic practice of breath control, offers a powerful tool to improve your well-being. Many ancient forms of exercise like martial arts, yoga and meditation use breath and pranayama in life-enhancing exercises.  Benefits include:

1. More Oxygen, More Energy, More Power:  Proper breathing techniques in pranayama increase lung capacity and oxygen intake. Scientific studies have shown this can improve lung function in healthy individuals and even those with respiratory conditions like asthma.  After practicing breathing exercises, you immediately feel, calm focused, energized and discover that you have better stamina and focus!
   

2. Stress Less, Live More:  Research suggests that breathing and pranayama activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which also helps relaxation and digestion.  This translates to reduced stress hormones and a calmer mind.  With regular practice, you can still be relaxed and centered, even on busy days.
   

3. Sharpen Your Mind:  Studies indicate that pranayama practices can enhance cognitive function, including memory, focus, and reaction time.
   

Pranayama should always be practiced with an experienced expert. With regular and right practice, you should be able to unlock the power of your breath for a healthier and happier you!