I figure we could all use a maha (great) therapeutic sigh right about now. It may appear a simple response to our current complex experience. Yet before you reject the idea of sighing, know it’s highly underestimated – sighing is actually mighty for detox + relief.
With all the sophisticated yoga breathing practices you may be astounded to learn, sighing is one of yoga’s easiest + most valuable breath practices as it capitalizes on the beneficial outward cleansing flow of energy called Apana Vayu.
When Apana Vayu is not therapeutically flowing we feel more anxious, heavy, stagnant, confused, doubtful + simply unwell. This may feel COVID familiar!
In yoga when we invigorate Apana Vayu energy we eliminate the excess mind-body waste that’s been weighing us down, leaving us to now feel refreshed, secure, grounded, open + simply healthy.
Metaphorically, sighing is clicking the trash icon on your computer. In a very real way, it can swiftly help you eliminate the built-up mind-body stress from the last several months without investing huge time or effort.
Seriously it’s time to sigh. Don’t hold back on getting relief. Pour your whole self into this honest to goodness opportunity to let go of stale air + simply feel better.
The Art to Yoga Sighing
o Inhale through the nose slow long - an inhale that fills lungs w/much air as the lungs can hold – without straining yourself - yet allows your chest, belly + back to expand
o If it helps you can begin with a normal breath, then take a second inhale before you exhale
o Your welcome to pause at the top of your inhale if its’ comfortable for you
o Exhale is through the mouth with a long smooth gentle sigh sound. Exhale until you feel all the air has left your lungs
o It’s not a sigh of exasperation but rather a blissful sigh of relief. With a sliding pitch that starts high + then slides down to a lower note