Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Long Deep Breathing
The foundational technique: expanding the lungs to their full capacity through three phases of breath.
Meaning
What Long Deep Breathing Means
Long Deep Breathing is the breathing technique most used in yoga. Most people breathe superficially, irregularly and somewhat erratically day to day, using only 600 to 700 cubic centimeters of a lung capacity that can reach up to 6,000. That limits how well the alveoli can cleanse the blood, which over time can contribute to a weak nervous system and high stress levels.
The purpose of Long Deep Breathing is to let the lungs expand and contract to their maximum capacity, producing an effective exchange: exhaling releases the greatest possible amount of toxins (apana), and inhaling brings in the greatest possible amount of pure oxygen (prana). By breathing deeply, lung capacity can expand up to eight times its normal use.
In Practice
How It’s Used
The breath moves through three phases, led by the diaphragm: abdominal, where the lungs fill to about 60% capacity as the diaphragm pushes the abdominal organs forward and to the side; thoracic, expanding the chest; and clavicular, at the top of the lungs. With practice, the three phases overlap into a single, fluid movement.
Breathing no more than 8 times a minute is said to trigger the pituitary gland to secrete, supporting greater intuition; below 4 times a minute, meditation is said to become automatic. Breathing slowly and deeply in daily life is also linked to greater patience and tolerance.
