Have you tried Dirgha yet? (pronounced DEER-GAH)
You already breathe all day…and all night…so why take the time to breathe a little differently?
Breathing slowly and deeply can take your autonomic nervous system from fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) to rest and digest (parasympathetic nervous system).
In other words: it’s r e l a x i n g.
Have you already tried out Dirgha but didn’t find it particularly relaxing? Try making your exhales longer than your inhales. This has been proven to help activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
B E N E F I T S I’ve experienced from Dirgha Pranayama:
- Helps my mind to s l o w down, let go of unnecessary thoughts (which is…most of them), and press a mental reset button!
- Breathing slowly and deeply into the three parts of my torso has helped me develop body awareness- i.e. awakening sensitivity to what my body needs.
- Breathing with intention helps me return to the present moment. (studies have proven that people are FAR happier when they are focused on the present moment).
- I feel as if I’m creating space in my body on the inhale and releasing tension on the exhale- both physically and mentally!
- I’m able to let go of external influences and return back to my home within- my homebase- a sense of returning back to a place that feels more authentically "me".
- In a world where there are so many things to draw my attention outwards it is vitally important to my mental health that I have a practice that can help draw me back inwards.
So, have you tried Dirgha yet? If so, let us know in the comments what benefits you’ve experienced! If not- check out my last post for a little instruction, and feel free to reach out with any questions! Happy breathing!