Hello August

After teaching pranayama in a class recently, I realized why yogis of old didn’t pose questions. I posed one myself (rhetorically, if I’m being honest) as to why we might find the movement and sensation of the breath interesting. One student answered that she wasn’t interested in it. So, here’s my longer explanation, shaped by over 20 years of practice:

1)    Paying attention to your own breath hones your observation skills.

You might not find observation that important anymore since we aren’t hunting for food or navigating by the stars, but observation skills aid us in interpreting the world around us. We do this through all our senses, not merely sight. Breath awareness draws attention inwards, helping you notice internal states and your reactions to these.

2)    Navigating the world around and within you, leads to independence.

When you regulate your breath, you mentally and emotionally separate yourself from the attachments you consider important and, instead, connect on an elemental level to the world around you. This is especially meaningful for older individuals who might be losing independence and younger ones who are gaining it. You begin to see things from different perspectives.

3)    This independence will aid you in making decisions.

By observing what’s happening in a given moment, rather than what you want or how it ought to be, you gain a fuller more honest assessment of the situation. This will inform the choices you make by taking in the whole picture.

Next time you think you don’t have a moment to sit with your breath, consider the physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Stay with it for just a moment.