Breath Guidelines for All Poses
Inhalation should be performed when:
- Opening, unfolding, or expanding the outer body
- Lengthening and extending the spine Opening the arms to the sides or overhead Coming out of forward bends or lateral standing poses
- Going up into a pose against gravity
- Bringing lightness to a pose, e.g., jumping into Uttanasana from Adho
- Mukha Svanasana, and going up into a hand-balancing pose.
Exhalation should be performed when:
- Closing, enfolding, or flexing the outer body
- Softening the organs
- Bringing the arms into the midline
- Going into forward bends or lateral standing poses
- Releasing down with gravity