What is Lion’s Breath Breathing
Lion’s breath, or simhasana in Sanskrit, is a yoga breathing technique and can be a useful, inspiring, and enjoyable breathing exercise that you can to add to your yoga practice. In addition to its therapeutic benefits, it could help you loosen up, let go, enjoy yourself and have a little bit of fun. Sticking out your tongue and roaring like a lion may be exactly what you need to relax or express yourself.
If you have a dry mouth or throat tickle
You can do lion’s breath to help clear your throat. It also promotes relaxation in your facial and neck muscles.
It’s said to alleviate stress, eliminate toxins, and stimulate your throat and upper chest. In yoga, it’s also known as Lion Pose.
What are breathing techniques
Common pranayama exercises, which you may have learned in a yoga class, include alternate nostril, cooling, and ujjayi breathing techniques.
Breathing techniques can help beat depression and may reduce stress and anxiety, help a person get to sleep, or support treatment for lung conditions. Some techniques work to give immediate relief. Others may work best with practice over time. Breathing techniques may help people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions weaken the lungs and make it harder for a person to breathe out all of the stale air.
Stimulates your Vocal Cords and Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs. Diaphragmatic breathing is meant to help you use the diaphragm correctly while breathing. Singers and people with speech impairments, such as stuttering have been advised to use this type of Breathing Technique as it engages your lungs with particular focus.
What are the Benefits of Lion’s Breath
Yogic breathing, sometimes known as pranayama, can benefit your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Regulating your breathing with these practices is said to extend your breath, or vital life force. Although relatively safe, Hatha Yoga is not risk free. Beginners should avoid advanced moves and exercise within their capabilities. Hatha yoga is practiced at a slower pace compared to yoga.
- Alleviate Stresses and Anxiety
- Lowers your Blood Pressure
- Can Improve Sleep Quality
- Relaxes your Neck and Facial Muscles
- Eliminate Toxins
- Enhances Mindfulness
- Boosts Lung Capacity
- Increase Cognitive Functions
- Stimulates your Vocal Cords and Diaphragm
- Lessen Cigarette Cravings
How to do Lion’s Breath Breathing
You can perform lion’s breath while sitting in a chair or on all fours in tabletop position. But you can also use a variety of other seated positions to practice lion’s breath. Such as Easy Pose (sitting cross-legged), Half-Lotus, Hero Pose or Thunderbolt Pose (knees together or wide).
- Open your eyes wide and look upward, or have a focused gaze or alternatively concentrate on the tip of your nose.
- Find a comfortable seated position.
- hands on your knees or the floor.
- Inhale through your nose.
- Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and stretch it down toward your chin.
- Exhale forcefully, carrying the breath across the root of your tongue.
- When exhaling, make a “haaa” sound that comes from deep within your abdomen.
- Breathe normally for a few moments.
Repeat lion’s breath up to 7 times, and then finish by breathing deeply for 1 to 3 minutes.
What are the Types of Breathing Techniques
- Alternate Nostril Breathing
- Lions Breath
- Deep Breathing
- Box Breathing
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Pursed Lip Breathing
- Mindful Breathing
Researchers in a small 2017 study examined the effects of engaging in breathing practices, along with education, for 12 weeks. This had a positive effect on the exercise tolerance of people with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Conclusion
Simply paying more attention to the breath can have benefits for well-being. Most forms of meditation use breathing techniques to relax the body and calm the mind. Finding the right breathing technique and making it part of a routine can help a person experience the benefits.
Resources : Lung.org : Healthline : NHS : British Lung Foundation