What Effects the Breath? Everything!

Depending on many factors, our breathing is either functional or dysfunctional (or somewhere in between). This has a direct affect on ones health and well-being. Factors such as, stress levels, lifestyle, diet, exercise, thought patterns and emotional states, health, medication use, habits & even the amount of talking!
Interestingly, the ancient yogis starting point for Pranayama (yogic breathing to extend the Life force) was a simple lifestyle, organic diet and quiet social life. In contrast, modern American yogis are coming from a varied diet, often laced with sugar and chemicals, and are primarily subject to a more complex lifestyle which includes more stress and an external focus.

As contemporary yogis, we can contemplate the roots of yoga practice, the closeness to nature and environmental elements in which yoga is integrated. From this we may be inspired to look more deeply at our life and perhaps fine-tune our life style choices so as to reap more benefits from our yoga practices… as well as from our breath on and off the mat!

You are invited to join me for a Pranayama and Health, Solstice workshop on Sunday, December 17 from 3 to 5 PM at the Shasta Yoga Institute ~
The Healing Power of Pranayama ~ Breath, Mind and Body Balance with Amy Cooper
Cost: $20 pre-reg by 12/9, $25 after
In the view of yoga the body is a combination of two important elements. One is the life force- Prana Shakti and the other is the mental force- Chitta Shakti. Since we are a composition of prana and chitta, when these two inner forces are balanced, life is more peaceful. In this spacious, extended class you will come to explore the breath and how it influences and supports your physical and mental well-being. Learn breathing techniques (Pranayama) to move the life energy in your body to flow more beneficially as well as contemplative practices for mental freedom and equanimity. REGISTER: email or call (530)859-5433. Pre registration appreciated!