Yoga Breathing Through Uncomfortable Moments 🧘🏼♀️
Living with digestive disorders such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome can definitely bring up some challenging moments. Many yoga poses help aid in digestion. Twists that compress the colon will actually improve the movement of food through the intestines. Along with this, yoga breathing can help relax the body and mind through those difficult times.
Ujjayi Pranayama
1. Begin in a seated, comfortable position. Relax your body and gently close your eyes. Let your mouth drop open slightly. Relax your jaw and your tongue.
2. Inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale deeply through your mouth. Feel the air of your inhalations passing through your windpipe.
3. On your exhalations, slightly contract the back of your throat, as you do when you whisper. Softly whisper the sound, “ahhh,” as you exhale. Imagine your breath fogging up a window.
4. As you become comfortable with your exhalations, maintain the slight constriction of the throat on your inhalations, as well. You will notice your breath making an “ocean” sound, softly moving in and out, like ocean waves.
5. As you continue with this breathing, concentrate on the sound of your breath; allow it to soothe your mind. It should be audible to you, but not so loud that someone standing several feet away can hear it.
6. Let your inhalations fill your lungs to their fullest expansion. Completely release the air during your exhalations.
7. Start by practicing this breathing for five minutes while you are seated. For longer relaxation, increase your time to 15 minutes.