Three-Part Yoga Breath

By Carol Krucoff

Lie down on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.

Part one: Place your hands on your lower belly. Inhale deeply through your nose into the lowest part of your lungs, expanding your abdomen against your hands. Exhale completely, and feel your hands fall as your belly deflates. Repeat for two or three breaths.

Part two: Place your hands on your rib cage. On the inhalation, feel your ribs expand out to the sides, like an accordion. On the exhalation, feel them relax back.

Part three: Move your hands up under your collarbones and feel the movement of breath in this uppermost portion of the lungs.

Put it together: Now, relax your arms by your sides, and practice this complete, three- part breath: Inhale deeply so that your belly rounds, rib cage expands, and collarbones broaden. On the exhalation, release all the old, used air, so that everything softens and your body rests gently on the ground. Repeat for several breaths, and then return to breathing normally.