Breathwork in class

Class started with Viparita Karani (lying down, legs up the wall pose).
This is a rejuvenating posture and also great for easing pressure in
the lower legs and feet.

From this position we extended our exhale so that is was longer than
our inhale. As a result, our breath also slowed down. Often people will
breathe 12 to 15 times per minute but actually once every 10 seconds,
or 6 times per minute, is often a more healthy rate.

Lengthened exhale, for several minutes, lets our breathing release more
CO2 thru a focused, simple and safe exercise which changes the balance
in our blood chemistry and helps restore vital energy.
Our cells need oxygen otherwise skeletal muscle is not maintained and
metabolic functions are impaired. With oxygenation, our capacity to
sense and act is encouraged.

By lengthening our exhale, the parasympathetic nervous system turns on
and directs our "relaxation response" to engage more fully, while the
sympathetic nervous system releases from external "fight or flight"
stimuli. (Especially if we use an eye bag and blankets under the hips
or shoulders).
Both parasympathetic and sympathetic systems direct our involuntary
body functions, which we can control by using our breath to influence
the body environment that triggers our autonomic nervous responses.

Still laying down on our mats, last class did some twists and hip
opening poses. As we follow this routine, we'll see if it brings us
either to other supported inversions or to continue to open up space
in our spine by flowing back and forth thru bridge pose with a breath
aware exercise that helps us free our diaphragm and other primary and
secondary breathing muscles...

 : )ohn