I Started Practicing Lion’s Breath on A Regular Basis
And I would highly recommend it.
If you’re unfamiliar with what lion’s breath is, it is basically a technique where you open your mouth as wide as you can, stick out and stretch your tongue downward, and breathe out heavily with a loud and drawn-out sigh. You can raise your gaze to look upward, too.
If you do it right, you will look similar to the lion above and probably feel a bit odd at first. It is a type of yogic breathing known as pranayama, and it’s actually proven to help with emotional regulation and well-being.
There are other types of breathing techniques like alternate nostril breathing and ujjayi or “ocean breath” that foster similar and additional health benefits.
Connect to the Body
Lately, I have been trying to incorporate more intentional breathwork into my daily routine to help me feel more connected to my body and my life source or prana, which is the breath. I have been practicing yoga for many years on and off. Yet, I have truly struggled to maintain a daily practice of meditation, even though it always leaves me feeling blissfully at peace and utterly grounded.
I’m the type of person who has to ease into something to make any lasting changes. Taking baby steps is the only thing that works for me. Even when I want to implement something important immediately, I know it won’t last if I jump right in and expect perfection.
If I miss a day of working out or don’t get around to carving out time for my breathwork, I accept myself for where I am at and just keep moving forward. It’s better to do a little something than nothing at all, and that belief has continuously helped me keep returning to the breath.
Practice Should Feel Good
When I practice when I want to, rather than because I feel like I must, I am actually more likely to attain my goals with clarity. I started practicing lion’s breath more often since I introduced it to my classroom.
My students go crazy over it. Kids really help bring that inner child out of you. At the end of class, they look forward to a few moments of yoga and deep breathing. The younger ones love lions’ breath the most!
It’s really freeing to be able to stick your tongue out, sigh out the anxious energy that may have built up through the day, and stretch your face with a bunch of others who don’t make you feel silly for doing so. It leaves me feeling refreshed, childlike, and joyful, even if it’s just for a moment.
While breathwork can feel like a challenge to implement into an already-packed day, remember that we always have a spare moment to do something that counts. Maybe it’s while you drive or do dishes.
For me, it happens to be during my workday. It doesn’t have to be every day, and maybe there are other types of breathwork that resonate with you more.
Whatever the case, remember to return to belly breathing from time to time. Our breath is a constant, and it’s more powerful than we often realize. We must honor our breath and express gratitude for its power to sustain us with life. Check in with your breath today. I’m sure you’ll be happy that you did.
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