Why breathe in & out through our nose?

Why breathe in & out through our nose?

Have you ever wondered why the teacher in a yoga class gives the instruction, “breathe in and out through the nose, and with the breath, find the sound of the ocean against the back of the throat?”

Aside from the fact that is sounds like an ocean and that reminds us that we all like a good trip to the beach now and again. And although that does sounds relaxing, why all this attention to the breath and the nose and that sound?

Here are a five good reasons why breathing the “yogic breath” is scientifically proven to be one of the best choices you can make on or off of the mat.

1. Mucus is your first line of defense against harmful bacteria and pathogens that would cause sickness & infection. If you are breathing through the nose it will funnel these harmful virus causing criminals down the digestive system were they’ll be, more than likely, rendered useless.
2. Moisture is a key element in allowing the lungs to absorb the oxygen we breathe. The moisture we acquire by inhaling through the nose makes it easier for the alveoli (tiny air sacks within in the lungs) to absorb the oxygen most efficiently. More efficient more better.
3. Slows the release of CO2 from the lungs. Aside from the nastiness of a dry mouth on the inhale, when we breathe out of the mouth, especially when we are exercising, we run the risk of over-breathing, exhaling out too much C02. This could cause us to pass out and get hurt. When we slow the breath we slow the release of CO2 which helps the efficiency of the transfer of oxygen and CO2 in the blood.
4. Heats the breath. Warm breath, warm air, warm blood. When blood passes by heated muscles, the heat allows it to exchange oxygen & C02 more easily. When this blood is warmed by the warriors breath on the way in, this allows for a more efficient exchange by making you hot blooded on the way in.
5. It vibrates the vagus nerve, the main nerve of your parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as your digestion, heart rate and immune system. The vibration of our warriors breath stimulates the nerve & sends a message down to drop us out of fight-or-flight mindset and taps us into rest-and-digest stillness.

Bonus – it makes you sound like a bad-a$$! I like to say that breathing the warriors breath when the practice begins is all about “inviting the victory” before the battle has even started. It is in the breath that we manifest!!!

I’m thinking of doing a breath work sound bath workshop, let me know if you might be interested in that.

See you on the mat,

Chris temple