When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world.
~B.K.S. Iyengar

The Complete Yoga Breath engages the entire respiratory system and expands the lungs to take in more air than the amounts inhaled by any of the three kinds of breathing alone. Low breathing may be considered deep breathing, but the complete yoga breath is the deepest possible breathing. You raise your shoulders, collarbone and ribs, as in high breathing as well as extend your abdomen and lower the diaphragm, as in low breathing. All this is done consciously with the intent of expanding the lungs to their fullest capacity.

The Complete Yoga Breath is the foundation for all the different types of yoga breathing. It should be mastered before you attempting other specific breathing exercises. Breathe through your nose and not your mouth.

Starting with your low belly, imagine your insides in three parts – low, mid, and upper. Fill up your low body by inhaling and letting your belly pooch out. Keep inhaling, into the ribs now. Think about expanding your back muscles. When your rib area if full, make more room by lifting the rib cage, shoulders, and collar bones. Let the exhale be long, contracting your abdominal muscles toward the spine and pulling your diaphragm area up.

Five of these and you can face anything. Feeling frantic? Complete yoga breathing is a wonderful way to begin a meditation of any kind.