Dear Sarah,
I’ve heard you speak once (or twice) about “reverse breathing.” If you are a “reverse breather,” should you try and modify your breathing or just continue to breathe as you normally would even though it is reverse? It is very hard to do yoga and focus on reversing your breathing. I always seem to be on an exhale when I should be inhaling, and vice versa. Thanks! - Jennifer, Buffalo, NY
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for practicing with us on YogaToday! As a reverse breather, your lungs and stomach contract when you inhale and they expand as you exhale. Statistics report that around 30% of the population breathes in this way, so even though it is not the most common way to breathe, there are plenty of folks out there reverse breathing.
My advice to you is to breathe as you normally do, instead of trying to switch. Often times students think they are breathing incorrectly and begin to worry, but the fact is – you are breathing and that is GREAT! Thanks for asking and be well.
Namaste,
Sarah Kline
You could try changing your breath when you aren’t doing yoga. I changed mine when I was in high school because I sang in the choir. I think I just made a conscious effort to breath differently and after a little while I was doing it naturally without thinking about it.
Another suggestion might be to lie for a period in Savasana and, just before your final rest, place a hand gently on your abdomen raising the hand a couple cm above your abdomen. From there, keep the shoulders relaxed and on an inhalation ‘push’ your belly toward your hand. Also, on the inhalation, allow the low back to soften and touch the floor (filling the back body as well). But I think Sarah gave great advice, don’t worry, just breathe.