The benefits of full yogabellies breath pranayama include:

• Calms the mind and body, reducing stress and anxiety
• Promotes full and complete breathing – opening up body in pregnancy and aids deep relaxation
• Increases oxygen supply to the blood
• Helps keep the lungs healthy
• Releases muscular tension
• Prepares for deeper meditation

A Beginner’s guide to full yogabellies breath

Sit on a blanket in Sukhasana or Easy Cross-Legged Pose. Root your sit-bones and feel your spine grow long as you lightly extend from the crown of the head. Soften your heart and your shoulders.

Place your hand over your navel and take a slow, deep breath into your belly. Feel the belly inflate like a balloon as you inhale, and deflate as you exhale. Practice this for five breaths.

Move your hand two to three inches above your navel to your rib cage. Feel the ribs expand as you inhale, and retract as you exhale. Practice this for five breaths.

Place your hand below your collarbone, at the center of your chest, and inhale. Feel the chest spread as you breathe in, and withdraw on an exhale. Practice this for five breaths.

Let’s try extending the exhale. Inhale for 3 and exhale for 6 

Inhale for 4 exhale for 8

Return to normal breathing