Body and Soul Yoga Club - Worksheet 9

Chapter 12 Sutra – About the breath:
Observe too the place in the body, the duration, and the count. II.50B

Breath and Heart (Second week of May)

The captain’s next lesson begins with a discussion about the breath. Friday explains that you must be aware which part of your body you are using to breathe with and then be conscious of where the breath is directed. In this way the connection between mind (directing the breath), breath itself and physical movement is made. To do this Friday advises counting breath and ensuring it is long and deep enabling the breath to flow freely and clear the “middle channel”. If you keep filling up with air without breathing out the old, stale air the extra air will put pressure on the places you are trying to relieve pressure. The captain accepts the advice but complains he’s now got too many things to remember. The answer, Friday tells him, is practice and then she pushes him to begin that practice – which is what a good should teacher do.

Consider the following questions

  1. How do you breathe?
  2. What happens when you consciously control your breath?
  3. Try to direct your breath to a part of your body that feels tense (a choke point). How do you feel?
  4. What is the difference between doing yoga alone and with a teacher?
  5. Do you see a connection with other “things” in our life. Do we need to get rid of things that no longer serve us in order to make room for those that do? Try to think of an example of something you once needed but no longer have use for.

Asanas to practise:

  • Ujjaii Breath
  • Deep Yogic Breath with Abdominal Control
  • Windmill
  • Meditation: Watching the breath

©Body and Soul Yoga 2017