We’ve learned about the three different ways to breathe, the parts of breath, and how to take a deep breath. But why would we want to practice breath control? In the yoga tradition, the breath and the mind are interdependent. Therefore when we control our breathing, we also get the mind under control. Calm breath leads to a calm mind.

Once you learn to control your breath, you gain more mastery over your emotions. For example, a certain relationship may cause you distress. As soon as you hear this person’s voice, you tense up and your heart starts racing. This is the state where you make bad decisions. Instead, use breath to help you calm down. Take a few mindful, very deep, cleansing breaths and you start to relax.

Besides being a great antidote to a particular stressful situation, the regular practice of breathing exercises promotes a sense of overall state of peace in the body, which is essential for happy living. Prolonged tension in the body leads to pain and other chronic and acute health problems.