Breath, the Pace & the Power

This is the fifth in a new series I am creating this fall & winter, all inspired by a book I have been reading:

How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach

This book works to explain the practice of yoga through a novel, the story of a young woman introducing and teaching the practice, all the while teaching us as well. As I read I am finding myself inspired to share with you. I hope you will enjoy this series as I highlight pieces of the book that gave me pause and got me excited to be in conversation with you all. Let me know what you think as we go!

The Power

The last email discussed how the story and the teacher/student began talking about the deeper pieces of yoga and the breath. They continue breath discussion, not surprisingly, because breath is so key to life and yoga.

She tells him: “Now ou can also send the breath, just in your mind, to a part of your body where you’re not so strong yet, to give it sort of an energy boost” (76).

In class I will often cue something along these lines: “send the breath all the way down to the toes/feet/sit bones/into the leg/down the arms.” It’s not literally what we can do, and yet when you consciously think about doing that in the mind, it is as if you can feel the breath and the power it carries going to those areas, those muscles.

Not only is it powerful; it is effective. As she says, “You can do this in fact any time you stretch any part of your body, but especially where you have some kind of problem. And because your thoughts are actually tied to your inner winds…Then it really is true that picturing your back [the student’s pain spot] loosening up, getting better again, can actually help it happen, as you do your poses. This is one big secret to how yoga really works” (77).

Hopefully it becomes one of the biggest unkept secrets of yoga as you share with those around you and encourage friends and loved ones to try yoga out for themselves to truly, actually feel better.

It makes me think about a presentation I lead when I am asked to speak to clubs or groups called “Power of the Breath.” The breath is so powerful, and we all carry it with us.

The Pace

In Vinyasa I do cue “inhale _____, exhale _____.” That can often make students, especially at first, question how fast they should be breathing or how they should pace their breathing and yoga. I loved that this book discussed this and how the teacher in the story explained:

“It’s not really so important how fast or slow your breathe, but rather that your breathing is deep and rhythmic, without any gasping or panting — no broken starts or stops, no ragged edges. At the beginning, when you’re still not used to things, then you’d want to breathe a little faster, or else you’d start gasping…” (77).

I love this because it confirms what I try and remind and assure new students. It takes time to feel like you are really flowing, and in different classes with different poses you will feel it differently. The breath is a great gauge for your practice, a great reminder to slow down, find your pace. There is no “right” pace; there is just your pace.

With time, as she says, “As you get looser and stronger — as you practice, steadily — then you can start slowing your breath down, still trying to make sure that both your in-breaths and your out-breaths are deep and regular. … [I]n the end, the point is control — that whether you breathe fast or slow, it’s a decision to do so, to get maximum benefit for the channels, wherever you happen to be” (78).

Wherever you happen to be

Wherever you happen to be

Wherever you happen to be

That is the key. Each practice we are in a different place — mentally, physically, emotionally. Wherever you happen to be is perfectly fine and where you need to be. Take the practice, use that breath, and flow.

I hope that gives you some things to think about in regards to your yoga.

I hope you enjoy a few breaths, at the pace you need and have today.

I hope you spend some time on your mat and with your practice this week.

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Also, if you are a member of a club or organization or hosting a conference, etc. and want me to come and present “The Power of the Breath,” reach out. I am always happy to share and can get you on the schedule for 2025.

Ready to get started? You can binge watch my Hello, Yoga series on-demand here or by clicking the link below.