Prompt: Yoga is described as a breath-based practice. How much attention is given to the breathing in your yoga practice space? How is breathing explained and taught (yes, taught)? What is your experience with pranayama?

Response: In my practice space, breathing is used for a couple of purposes. In the beginning of class, we do an exercise to bring consciousness to our breathing. We first focus on even breathing, then we inhale using the sacrum, next the belly, and next the chest, paying attention and constricting each space as the inhale moves upwards. Conversely, we exhale back down these three parts and slowly release the contraction. This exercise is repeated multiple times before the physical practice begins. Even breathing through the nose is maintained through the practice for the purpose of building heat within the body, and we practice "lion's breath" at the end of the physical practice, loudly exhaling through the mouth with tongue out to release this heat.

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