Yoga Breathing

Bear Breath (Rest and Balance) In winter, bears hibernate in caves, sleeping peacefully. Discover your own peace and balance with this special breath. Sit up tall, close your eyes Through your nose, breathe in for a count of five, then hold in for a count of three Breathe out for a count of five, then hold out for a count of three Repeat five to seven times then see how you feel

Snake Breath (Slow and Calm) When they are coiled and resting, snakes look around calmly, and when they move, they are slow and smooth St up tall. Take a deep breath in, filling up your whole body. Pause and breathe out slowly and smoothly, making a hissing sound for as loud as you can. Repeat for three to five rounds, feeling yourself slow down and become calmer each time.

Bunny Breath (Cleanse and Clear) Bunnies are very alert. Keep yourself awake and alert with this cleansing breath. Sit on your shins with your back straight, shoulders wide and chest lifted. Keeping your chin down, take three big sniffs, one right after the other. Then exhale in a long release, as though you are sighing out through your nostrils. Repeat for five to seven rounds. When you've finished, you should feel clear, relaxed and alert.

Elephant Breath (Wake up and energize) Elephants can shower themselves with their own trunks. Choose something to shower yourself with = love, laughter, strength Stand with your feet wide apart. Link your hands and dangle your arms in front of you like an elephant trunk. Inhale through your nose as you raise your arms high above your head and lean back. Exhale through your mouth as you swing your arms down through your legs. Repeat for three rounds. On the next round, stay up, arch back and shower yourself!

Birthday Candles

Sit with your legs crossed and your back straight. Breathe in deeply. Imagine seeing your birthday cake with all its bright candles, and blow them out, breathing out strongly through the mouth. As you inhale through your nose, stretch the arms up and out. As you blow out strongly through your mouth, bring them back together at the center of your chest. Balloon Breath

Sit with your legs folded and crossed, and your back straight.

Put the palms of your hands together at the center of your chest. Close your eyes, and begin by taking three big balloon breaths. Here's how: When you breathe in deeply, raise your arms up above your head in the shape of a big balloon. Then breathe out and bring your arms back down so that your palms are together at the center of your chest. Do this at least three times.