Simhasana: Lion’s Breath for Stress Relief
As we enter December, the season of festivities and year-end deadlines, stress levels may be on the rise. It's essential to pause for self care, chill time, to let yourself get back to regulated. No excuses! Let me share one of my go to pranayama practices that I use for a quick, calming release.
Simhasana or Lion's Breath, also known as Lion’s Pose, is a pranayama exercise that offers a range of benefits, from reducing stress and purifying the body of toxins, to invigorating your throat and upper chest. This energizing breath practice is said to have the ability to clear the throat, stimulate the lungs, and promote the release of emotions.
Since anxiety, stress and overwhelm can cause rapid, shallow breathing, its vital to take moments to connect with your breath in order to regulate and find balance. Research shows that this breath practice not only has an impact on our mental state but also influences our physiology by inducing a more relaxed physical state.
Need more convincing to give this a try? Don't worry, I've got you covered! Keep reading, friends....
Lion's breath targets the thyroid and fifth chakra, which is responsible for creativity, communication, and expression. By practicing lion's breath, you're not only improving your physical health, but also enhancing your self-expression and communication skills.
One of the most significant aspects of lion's breath is that it encourages you to set aside your self-consciousness. This can be particularly helpful when you find yourself in situations where you want to speak up but feel hesitant and unsure. With regular practice, you'll find yourself more confident and comfortable in expressing your thoughts and ideas.
In addition to improving communication skills, Lion's breath can help you let go of any lingering emotions, thoughts, or patterns that may be weighing you down. You can also incorporate a focused gaze, or Drishti, to enhance the benefits of this practice. Choose to fixate your gaze on the third eye or tip of the nose, or upward towards the ceiling or sky.
A Guide to Lion’s Breath
Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths to relax.
Place your hands on your knees or the floor in front of you.
Spread your fingers wide apart.
Inhale deeply through your nose.
Open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out, stretching it towards your chin.
Exhale forcefully, making a "ha" sound from your abdomen.
As you exhale, direct the breath across the root of your tongue.
Take a few normal breaths.
Repeat steps 4-8, up to seven times.
Finally, take a few deep breaths for one to three minutes to conclude the exercise.
Ways to Deepen Your Practice:
Set an intention to let go of anything that no longer serves you can help you move forward.
With each exhale, visualize releasing negative thoughts, feelings, or emotions.
Observe if you experience any resistance or have difficulty letting go.
Acknowledge these feelings and trust that you can release them when you're ready.
Next, consider what you would like to attract into your life, whether it's happiness, good health, or a sense of tranquility.
Allow yourself to focus on these positive intentions and visualize their manifestation in your life.
Relax and rejuvenate with this fun breathing practice. I invite you to try incorporating this breathing technique into your daily routine and practice to experience these rejuvenating benefits. Enjoy, friends!
Click here for a video tutorial from Yoga with Adrienne
Much love,
Laura
