One cannot help but come out of Yoga and Mindfulness in good spirits and feeling at peace. Yoga instructor Liz Heller has been showing students the benefits of breathing techniques through meaningful exercises and examples. As students positioned themselves in a comfortable sitting position on their mats, Heller said, “It is really nice to hear your breath.” She went on to share that if students are having a hard time falling asleep or are nervous before a test, deep inhales and exhales can help.
Students tried a few different breathing exercises. The first was a hand tracing technique that allows a person to inhale on the upside of each finger and then exhale on the downside. “If you had a wild day at school or are just upset about something, try the Lion Threat,” said Heller as she illustrated her hands with spread fingers out on each side of her face to make a lion’s mane and then exhaled strongly with a vicious expression a lion might make. The third breathing technique is called the “Bunny” with three short inhales and a long exhale resembling actions of a bunny.
The atmosphere invites calmness with soothing music and low lighting to encourage a stress-reducing environment. Each student received a personal journal to note how they are feeling each day – Heller said it is for their eyes only.
Through breathing exercises, fun body postures, partner poses, and journaling, students should leave with some new techniques to help with relaxation, coordination, flexibility and self-esteem.