Although I had been practicing yoga for a long time, my first formal introduction to Pranayama was during my 300-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training in October 2017. I had practiced many of the techniques before 2017, but I never really understood the true impact of pranayama until my amazing teacher, Larissa Hall Carlson, opened my eyes to its incredible power. With each practice, I felt grounded and light, clear and open, joyful, happy and satisfied. I absolutely fell in love. Each time I practice, I feel more alive. And I want the same for you! Today I’m sharing the foundations of a pranayama practice so you can begin to explore these practices in order to improve your overall well-being and feel more alive.

You may not notice it, but if you’re reading this article, you’re breathing. A lot. In fact, on average, we take more than 20,000 breaths every day! We do plenty of breathing, but are you breathing well? This week, Steve Sampson gives us a look at the mechanics of breathing, what differentiates between efficient and inefficient breath patterns, and how your yoga practice comes into play.