Yoga @ Esprit de Vie
Friend of Esprit de Vie, Ian Cariaga of Gewrew joined our Wellness Club on Thursday to take us through some yoga practices as a group.
Ian explained that Yoga is a science. If you understand the manual, it will work for you, for everyone.
Ian shared the following Yogic breathing exercises with us and encourages you to use them at home and in your everyday life:
1. Simple Pranayam (control of your breath in a resting position)
Sit in an upright and comfortable position.
Close the eyes lightly.
Inhale gently through the nose. Aim to take at least 6 seconds for both the inhale and exhale.
Practise 3-5 rounds of just observing your breath.
2. Standing pranayam (with foot on chair or standing lunge)
Breath in through the nostrils and sweep arms above head. Slowly let the arms flow down as you exhale.
Repeat 6 rounds alternating legs each round (3 for each leg).
3. Alternate nostril breathing
Right hand to face.
Take index finger and middle finger in between eyebrows.
Close off the right nostril with thumb and inhale into left nose.
Take ring finger of same hand and close left nostril to pause.
Open right nostril and gently exhale.
Inhale right nostril. Pause. Close right nostril with thumb, release ring finger from left nostril and then breath out of left nostril.
Repeat 10-12 times.
Images courtesy of gewrew.com
