Thalassa
Permabanned
- Joined
- May 3, 2009
- Messages
- 25,183
- MBTI Type
- ISFP
- Enneagram
- 6w7
- Instinctual Variant
- sx
I finally got it today, you know, the ujjayi breathing.
I've been doing breath work for quite some time, and I feel that it is one of the most crucial aspects of yoga, and since I do vinyasa, breath is linked to movement during asana practice as well.
I noticed that a couple of times when I had been doing a particular lot of breath work, it seemed like I ended up with some kind of sinus issue.
One of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite, I think he's some kind of ExFP) yoga instructor told me he loved that I did so much breathing in class, that it inspires other students in the class to stay with their breath, that they can hear me breathing.
But it finally occurred to me today that sometimes my breathing is too aggressive. I went to a class of a lovely teacher (who I think is an ENFJ woman) and she kept insisting that we breathe deeply, but also keep the breath gentle.
"Not just Darth Vader," she said, "but happy Darth Vader."
See, the uujayi breath is noisy. It is compared to the sound of the ocean, and involves a certain sound in the back of the throat upon exhaling. "Darth Vader" is a common nickname for it at the studio I usually frequent.
But I learned today that maybe sometimes I'm doing my breathwork too aggressively. The breath of fire has its place (a faster and more aggressive warming breath) but I think if I do A LOT of breath work and constantly strive to stay with my breath, that the breath must be deep but gentle. Not as loud. Not as aggressive.
HAPPY DARTH VADER.
No wonder it was aggravating my sinuses if I over-did it.
It's supposed to make your lung capacity and immunity better, not worse.
I've been doing breath work for quite some time, and I feel that it is one of the most crucial aspects of yoga, and since I do vinyasa, breath is linked to movement during asana practice as well.
I noticed that a couple of times when I had been doing a particular lot of breath work, it seemed like I ended up with some kind of sinus issue.
One of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite, I think he's some kind of ExFP) yoga instructor told me he loved that I did so much breathing in class, that it inspires other students in the class to stay with their breath, that they can hear me breathing.
But it finally occurred to me today that sometimes my breathing is too aggressive. I went to a class of a lovely teacher (who I think is an ENFJ woman) and she kept insisting that we breathe deeply, but also keep the breath gentle.
"Not just Darth Vader," she said, "but happy Darth Vader."
See, the uujayi breath is noisy. It is compared to the sound of the ocean, and involves a certain sound in the back of the throat upon exhaling. "Darth Vader" is a common nickname for it at the studio I usually frequent.
But I learned today that maybe sometimes I'm doing my breathwork too aggressively. The breath of fire has its place (a faster and more aggressive warming breath) but I think if I do A LOT of breath work and constantly strive to stay with my breath, that the breath must be deep but gentle. Not as loud. Not as aggressive.
HAPPY DARTH VADER.
No wonder it was aggravating my sinuses if I over-did it.
It's supposed to make your lung capacity and immunity better, not worse.
