| Yoga has become an interesting fitness trend in | | | | best thing to do is mindful diaphragmatic breathing. |
| America. Incidentally, Yoga can be an excellent way | | | | Breathe deep into the belly and pay attention to the |
| to get in shape, lose weight, etc. If this is all you do | | | | sensations that arise in conjunction with the breath. If |
| with Yoga, though, you are missing quite a bit. | | | | you are holding a single asana for an extended period |
| Yoga is another method of contacting and expressing | | | | of time, you can use the same breathing method, or |
| the self through the body. If you pay attention, going | | | | you can play with the breath of fire. The breath of |
| through these exercises will give you a chance to | | | | fire is rapid diaphragmatic breathing; see if you can |
| become more familiar with your body. When you | | | | use your abdominal muscles to draw in a deep (not |
| learn to maintain a state of deep focus (through | | | | long) breath and exhale the breath quickly. Start |
| Yoga or any other exercise), you will begin to gain | | | | slowly with the breath of fire, and add speed as you |
| deeper and deeper insights. Properly focused Yoga | | | | grow more comfortable. |
| practice will not only make your body more limber, it | | | | The final point of focus that we will cover for Yoga |
| will also create greater flexibility of perception. | | | | practice is the feet. Focusing on the feet has a very |
| Increasing flexibility of perception is how we start to | | | | grounding effect; it reminds you of your connection |
| open the doors to true freedom! | | | | to the Earth. If any of the other methods are too |
| So how do we use our focus to deepen our Yoga | | | | uncomfortable, or if you find yourself getting |
| practice? There are a variety of methods, but I will | | | | distracted, you can always bring your focus back to |
| give you three to start with. To have a deeper | | | | your feet. Pay attention to your feet, and how you |
| experience while practicing Yoga, you can focus on | | | | connect with the Earth as you transition through |
| the muscles being stretched, the breath, or the feet. | | | | asanas. |
| Focusing on the muscles being stretched is very | | | | Regardless of which point of focus you choose, you |
| powerful. As you relax into the posture, you can | | | | will gradually develop more and more mindfulness. |
| smile into these muscles, and deepen the stretch. | | | | This can transform your experience of Yoga. One of |
| Sometimes (particularly for beginners) focusing on the | | | | the many benefits of having an active meditation |
| active muscles seems to amplify discomfort. If this is | | | | (Yoga, a martial art, walking meditation, etc.), is how |
| the case, then you can loosen your focus to the | | | | easy it is to bring it into the rest of your life. Still |
| general area of the stretch, or choose one of the | | | | meditation (sitting or standing) is also very useful, but |
| other objects of focus. | | | | the state of insight gained there is a bit more difficult |
| Focusing on the breath is a classic meditation as well | | | | to carry into your day-to-day routine. |
| as an excellent method of deepening your practice of | | | | Yoga is a powerful method for health and growth. As |
| Yoga. Breath-work in Yoga is typically referred to as | | | | you develop your focus and insight in your Yoga |
| Pranayama. If you are doing a Yoga workout, | | | | practice, you will be able to enjoy more insight and |
| switching asanas (positions) to work up a sweat, the | | | | awareness in every moment of every day! |