Hey wellness community! I recently discovered a breathing pattern that has really improved my stability in challenging yoga balance poses like Tree Pose and Warrior III. It's different from the typical 'breathe deeply and steadily' advice. This technique involves controlled exhales during both entering and holding the pose, and it's been a game-changer for maintaining balance.
Here's how it works:
Technique:
• Starting Position: Take a deep belly breath to center yourself.
• Entering Pose (2-3s): Slow exhale (like a gentle hiss), engage core and glutes.
• Hold Pose: Quick nasal inhale if needed — keep core engaged.
• Maintaining Pose (choose based on goal):
Endurance Version: Steady, controlled breathing + smooth exhales for stability.
Challenge Version: Longer holds with slow, consistent exhales for increased difficulty.
• Release: Deep breath, return to starting position.
Why It Works:
Exhaling during both the transition and hold phases maintains core engagement and prevents wobbling — no breath-holding or losing focus at the peak of the pose.
I'm interested to hear if anyone else uses a similar breathing technique for yoga or other balance-focused exercises?
