Ashtanga 30/01/2021: Pranayama

Style: Ashtanga
Length: 90 minutes
Focus: Pranayama (breathwork)
Props: Block and belt
Date Recorded: 30/01/2021
Our breath can have a profound effect on our nervous system and therefore our physical and mental state. This is due to the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) parts of our autonomic nervous system. When we increase our inhales, or include breath retention (holding/pausing) after our inhale, the body prepares to act and the nervous system fires up the heart and muscles so it is energised. In contrast, longer exhales/breath retention after the exhale signals that it is safe to rest and the nervous system is soothed and the body starts to prepare for relaxation. This practise pairs the traditional ashtanga physical postures with a variety of different pranayama (breathing techniques) so we can feel the effects this has on the mind and body. This practise is a little calmer and slower that the conventional ashtanga pace, but it still builds heat and energy so a great practise if you still want to move but to create a sense of calm, which we can take through the rest of our day.