5 Pranayama Breathing Exercises for Yoga Beginners

How often are you aware of your breathing? If you’re like most people, probably not very often. You’ll likely notice if it becomes difficult for some reason, like when you’re running or at a high altitude, but most of the time our breathing doesn’t require much attention because it looks after itself.

That’s because respiration is one of the involuntary systems (like circulation) that keeps our bodies running. But breath can also be controlled (like muscular movement) for specific effects. One of the best examples of this is how the breath affects the parasympathetic nervous system. When our bodies perceive danger, the ‘fight or flight’ cocktail of hormones kicks in, which causes us to take quick, shallow breaths. We can calm our bodies back towards ‘rest and digest’ mode by consciously slowing and deepening the breath.

The many ways of breathing with purpose are part of the practice of Pranayama, which is one of Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga. Sharp, rapid breaths can warm and invigorate the body while full, deep breaths can cool and calm. Making your inhales and exhales the same length creates balance while exhaling forcefully releases excess heat. The five breathing exercises described below are often practised in contemporary yoga classes.

Top 5 Pranayamas for Yoga Asana Practice

Ujjayi (Ocean Breath or Victorious Breath)

Ujjayi is the breath that comes up most frequently in vinyasa-style yoga, because it helps you keep your breath deep and regular during long holds and continuous flows.

1. Take several rounds of breath with deep inhalations through your nose and exhalation through your mouth.
2. On your next exhalation, tone the back of your throat as if you were fogging a pair of glasses or a mirror (this is also known as Darth Vader breath). Take a few cycles of inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth with your throat tones to get the hang of it.
3. After your next inhalation, keep your mouth closed and exhale through your nose while maintaining the same toned quality in your throat.
4. After a few rounds like that, keep your throat toned while inhaling as well.
5. Use this breath throughout your flow yoga practice to direct your energy and stay on an even keel.

Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath)

Kapalabhati consists of forceful exhalations and passive inhalations. Practice it seated at first, and stop if you feel light-headed. Once you are more experienced, you can bring this breath into an asana situation for an added burst of heat and energy.

1. Begin by inhaling and exhaling naturally through your nose.
2. Initiate Kapalabhati by forcefully exhaling through your nose in short, regular bursts.
3. Each time you exhale, draw your abdominal muscles toward your spine to help push all the air out.
4. Let each inhale happen naturally. Your inhalations will be quite short.
5. Keep the head, neck, and shoulders neutral so that only the abdomen is moving with each exhalation.
6. Start with 20 rounds of breath and work your way up to about a minute.
7. During asana, Kapalabhati can be introduced in almost any static posture.

Simhasana (Lion’s Breath)

Lion’s Breath is a strong exhalation that helps release excess tension and nervous energy. It can be done in a seated position, as described below, or during asana practice. Because it looks slightly ridiculous, it’s a good way loosen up.

1. Come to sit in a kneeling position with your buttocks resting on your heels (Vajrasana) and your palms flat on your thighs. If this position isn’t comfortable, place a block or bolster under your butt to lift your seat.
2. Inhale deeply. Exhale forcefully through your widely opened mouth while sticking out your tongue toward your chin and turning your gaze toward your third eye (the centre of your forehead, resulting in your eyes going slightly crossed).
3. The back of your throat is slightly toned to produce a roaring sound.
4. Take three rounds of breath.

Sama Vritti (Equal Breath)

Equalizing your inhales and exhales helps bring the body into balance. This deep, slow breath has a calming effect. It also includes breath retention (kumbhaka).

1. Inhale slowly for a count of four.
2. Retain your breath with your lungs full for a count of four.
3. Exhale for a count of four.
4. Retain your breath with your lungs empty for a count of four.
5. Repeat this cycle for several minutes. If you like, you can extend your count to six or eight for a longer cycle.

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath)

This seated pranayama is often done at the end of a yoga session to settle the energy that’s been stirred up and prepare the body for rest (Savasana). It is said to help bring the two sides of the body into balance.

1. Come to sit in a comfortable position with your left hand resting in your lap.
2. Bring the middle and forefinger of your right hand to your third eye (centre of your forehead). Place your thumb to the outside of your right nostril and your ring finger to the outside in your left nostril.
3. Press your thumb to close your right nostril as you inhale through the left nostril.
4. Press your ring finger to close your left nostril as you release your thumb and exhale through the right nostril.
5. Inhale through the right nostril.
6. Press your thumb to close your right nostril as you exhale through the left nostril.
7. Inhale through your left nostril
8. Continue this cycle for several minutes.

Once you experience the effects of pranayama in yoga, you’ll find yourself much more aware of your breath in your daily life. In stressful situations, for instance, you’ll notice how your breath speeds up and you can choose to slow it down to reassert a sense of calm. Pranayama can join yoga asana and meditation as a valuable part of your wellness toolbox.