Focus on the Breath... Day 16 of the Yoga Challenge!

Dear Yogi's hope you had a wonderful weekend.  For those of you who are mums I hope you were spoiled rotten and treated like a queen for a full 24 hours!   The weather has turned back towards winter so the heat in the dome this morning should be a welcome oasis. I wanted to show you this wonderful picture of Yoga being practiced in a salt room with Himalayan salt crystals covering the walls.  Apparently the salt helps treat respiratory illnesses.  A bit like practicing yoga on the beach and inhaling fresh salty air.  

This week I will be focusing on the breath in class and in my own home practice.  Focusing on the breath is so healthy mentally, physically and emotionally.  Increasing our intake of oxygen lowers the heart rate as the heart does not have to work as hard to circulate oxygen if we are taking in more oxygen per breath.  We give our brain oxygen by breathing more deeply improving brain function and memory.  We calm the nervous system and reduce the physical effects of stress when we lower our heart rate.  Our mental monkey mind is stilled and calmed when we focus our attention on the breath instead of the running dialogue in our heads.  All in all breath is the essence of our life force and focusing on the quality of our breathing can only improve our overall health and well being.  Looking forward to seeing you in the dome...

Namaste     Luma