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Yoga and breathing

Most of us have forgotten how to breathe properly 

We take shallow breaths through the mouth and use our diaphragm rarely, if at all. When inhaling, either we lift the shoulders up or we pull in the abdomen. This way we only use a fraction of our lung capacity. Our bodies do not get enough oxygen. The result: we feel fatigued, sluggish, even depressed. 

Proper breathing 

Proper breathing (pranayama) supplies the body with sufficient oxygen and connects it to its ‘battery’, the solar plexus. An enormous amount of energy is stored there. By becoming aware of our breathing and taking deep breaths, we can tap into these energy stores in our daily lives. The body becomes stronger and can deal much easier with the demands of modern life. Thus stress and many illnesses such as depression can be overcome.