Breathing is pranayama. The word comprises two words: Yama, which means "control," and prana, which describes the breath and denotes the "vital force." The two words together signify breathing exercises. We become more conscious of our breath as we practise taking deeper breaths. To master the art of breathing, you should try yoga breathing exercises for beginners. Additionally, one of our most effective transformational tools is mindful breathing.

By concentrating on breathing, we can better connect with the spirit within by clearing our energy and minds of all daily distractions.

7 Yoga breathing exercises for beginners

These are some best yoga breathing exercises you can do to start:

1. Ocean Breathing

It is also referred to as Ujjayi breathing in Sanskrit (pronounced oo-Jai), has a balanced effect on the neurological system and the entire cardiorespiratory system. Anyone can practice ocean breathing; you don't need to be a certain age, size, or have any other physical requirements. All you need to do is be able to breathe.

2. Kapalabhati - Skull Shining Breath

Technically speaking, kapalbhati pranayama, sometimes referred to as the sparkling skull breath, is a Shatkriya-cleansing method. It may have been introduced to you as a breathing technique to clear your energies and detoxify your body at the end of a yoga lesson.

Sit in a comfortable position and perform Kapalbhati. Bring your right hand on your stomach and your left hand, palm up, on your left knee. Allow yourself to inhale passively in between exhalations as you begin to breathe out quickly and forcefully.

3. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama - Alternate Nostril Breathing

Nadi Shodhana pranayama, a yoga breath technique, is used to unblock the nadis and balance the yin and yang energies in order to restore balance to the body.

You can do it by following these steps-

• If you don't need to offer something your complete attention, sit quietly.
• Your forefinger and middle finger should be moved as you raise your right hand to your nose. Then, grasp your right nostril with your thumb.
• Close your eyes and breathe out thoroughly and slowly through your left nostril while keeping this nose covered.

• Release your right nose after completely breathing, then place your ring finger on your left nostril.

• From the right side, inhale gently and deeply. Ensure that your breathing is even and continuous.

• After taking a full breath in, exhale via your right nostril.
• Repeat.

4. Bhastrika Pranayama - The Bellows Breath

The goal of bhastrika pranayama, sometimes referred to as the bellows breath, is to leave you with a sense of vigor, renewal, and mental clarity. Additionally, it is believed to speed up digestion and enhance metabolism, both of which support weight loss.

How to do it:

Sit comfortably in a seated position to practice. Set your shoulders at ease and begin to breathe through your nose. By forcefully expelling through your nose and then forcefully inhaling through your nose, you can activate your bellows breath. About one second should pass between each exhalation and inhalation.

When you breathe in, fully expand your belly. Spend 30 seconds between each set of three rounds of 10 breaths, 20 breaths, and 30 breaths.

After releasing your ring finger, press your thumb once again into your right nostril. Then, utilizing your left nostril, inhale deeply and exhale just as deeply.

5. Bhramari Pranayama - The Humming Bee Breath

The purpose of bhramari, sometimes referred to as the humming breath or humming bee breath, is to calm a bustling mind. Regularly using this breath can improve your mental and emotional awareness while balancing your body's vata energy and circulation.

Practice sitting up straight while seated. Inhale through your nose like a Ujjayi breath by slightly contracting the back of your throat. Make a long, steady humming sound as you exhale through your nose.

Ten deep breaths of practicing the humming breath. During the exhale, you can close your ears to increase the resonance in your heart.

6. Shitkari Kumbhaka - The Hissing Breath

Due to the sound of the exhale, Shitkari Kumbhaka, also known as the hissing breath in yoga, received its name. It aims to purify the senses while lowering pitta energy in the body.

Yoga practitioners who want to practice hissing breath should take a deep breath in through their nose, hold it for eight counts, and then let it out through their mouths while keeping their jaws clenched.

If you suffer from asthma, chronic constipation, or a condition that makes it difficult to breathe deeply, you shouldn't try this yoga breathing exercise.

7. Sitali Pranayama - The Cooling Yoga Breath

Sitali Pranayama, a yoga breath, is designed to lessen pitta (heat) in the body.

Steps to follow: curl your tongue lengthwise and inhale through the crease. It should be easy to breathe and feel cool. Close your mouth after inhaling and hold your breath for eight counts. Exhale slowly via your nostrils while keeping your mouth shut. Spend up to 8 minutes or 8 breaths performing Sitali Kumbhaka.

These yoga breathing exercises for beginners will help you to master the art. Yoga breathing exercises will help you with anxiety, stress and many more problems.

The Benefits of Yoga Breathing Exercises 

• The increased oxygen intake by Pranayama breathing aids in the removal of carbon dioxide from the body, which improves the brain and nervous system. You can assist clear your thoughts and reduce stress and worry by giving yourself a relaxing focus, which can increase cognitive brain performance.

• Pranayama is the discipline of paying attentive attention to your breath in the present moment, which can help your mindfulness practises. Pranayama breathing techniques can aid in emotional regulation by keeping your mind from drifting too far into a negative space.

• Yoga breathing exercises can be said as yoga breathing exercises for lungs as it helps in increasing lung function and capacity, allowing you to breathe more deeply and fully. Deep breathing dilates the blood vessels, which improves circulation and contributes to a stronger immune system.

• Pranayama breathing can lower your heart rate shortly before bed, it can have a relaxing and calming effect on the body, and it can result in greater sleep quality.

When to breathe in yoga 

Yoga is totally about breathing techniques. These are some yoga breathing techniques for beginners

• As you open your front of the body, breathe in.
• Compress the front of the body as you exhale.
• Keep still if your breath hangs after inhaling.
• If you need to move while holding your breath after an exhalation, only do so.
• Breathe easily and deeply.

Start yoga breathing exercises for beginners to stay healthy. Making breathing exercises a regular part of our lives will start a dramatic shift. We cannot truly live while we are not breathing.