Proper breathing is often regarded as one of the key factors for a successful yoga session, When carrying out your yoga exercise it is not very relevant what clothes you wear or where you perform it, but rather details such as what you ate that day, the manner in which you breathe and your attitude towards the yoga exercise can make the difference.

You might be wondering why such a simple and common thing like breathing can become an element which can make the difference in a yoga session. Well, first of all you have to know that by the process of breathing we provide our bodies with the necessary quantities of oxygen that we all need, in order to be able to survive. Moreover, the breathing process is also vital because it is an efficient way of getting rid of the toxins in our body.

The correct breathing technique during yoga is vital. Here is what takes place during the breathing process: When you breathe properly—that is, with the mouth closed so that the air is inhaled through the nasal passages— oxygen travels down the pharynx (rear of the throat), the larynx (roughly the region of the Adam's apple), and the trachea or windpipe until it reaches the bronchial tubes. By then most of the dust and bacteria have been filtered out by the mucous membranes, or the moist lining of the nose. Mucous, by the way, in addition to acting as a filter substance, also has certain germicidal properties—another reason why it is so important to cultivate the habit of breathing through the nose, never through the mouth. A third reason, already mentioned elsewhere, is that while traveling this somewhat longer road the air is warmed to proper body temperature, which means extra insurance against catching colds.

While flowers need water in order to develop and to grow properly, one of the vital nutrients for the human beings is oxygen. It is important both for the nervous system, as well as for a series of internal organs and glands. However, there is no doubt that the organ, which must by all means be irrigated, is the brain, as in case it is not provided the necessary quantity of oxygen, it might cause the degradation of various other organs. To function properly, the brain needs three times more oxygen than the rest of our organs; and unless this is provided it will try to appropriate its supply by drawing on the overall allotment.

Now that we listed at least a few of the main reasons for which we have to supply sufficient oxygen quantities to our body, let's talk about the healthy ways of breathing, especially during your yoga session. Although breathing is an activity that we do not learn how to do, we sometimes restrict or modify the way we perform this action and it can only result in negative effects for us. Thus, it has become common for people to assume, because of the jobs they perform, for example, unusual positions which diminish the capacity of the lungs and make breathing intervals shorter.

Specialists, as well as yoga practitioners agree that there is a close connection between the mental state and the manner in which a particular person breathes. Thus, in order to achieve the perfect state of harmony between the body and the soul, yoga trainers organize sessions dedicated completely to teaching the proper breathing techniques. These breathing techniques significantly contribute to reaching the desired stage of peacefulness and synchronization between the inner and the outer self.

Yoga breathing does not encourage shallow and fast breathing, but tries to promote the benefits of deep breathing. Among the most important beneficial effects of this manner of breathing we can enumerate:

* Improvement of health and brain irrigation systems.
* Rejuvenation of the skin, which becomes considerably smoother,
  while facial wrinkles are gradually eliminated.
* Deep breathing leads to stronger lungs and to a healthier heart.
* Relaxation of the body and mind.

Also check out Anuloma Viloma - the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique.