In yoga, breath is everything. A yoga pose cannot be mastered without it, as it is the link between the body and the mind. When you breathe deeply and fully, you open up your entire being to the practice.
We’ll look at some of the most well-known yoga quotations regarding breathing in this article. Plus, we will examine their meanings and how they can help us on our yoga journey.
Most Heartwarming Yoga Quotes About Breath
This segment is about some of the most gratifying yoga quotes about breathing, along with their interpretations.
Yoga is a study of life, a study of your body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, and ego. Study your inner faculties! – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Meaning: Exercise is not the only aspect of yoga. It is also about studying your mind, emotions, and ego. By understanding these things, you can live a more harmonious life.
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Meaning: Breath is the link between your body and your mind. Use your breath to center yourself when you start to feel disoriented.
You say that you are too busy to meditate. Do you have time to breathe? Meditation is your breath. Why do you have time to breathe but not to meditate? Breathing is something vital to people’s lives. If you see that Dhamma practice is vital to your life, then you will feel that breathing and practicing the Dhamma are equally important. – Ajahn Chah
Meaning: We often think we don’t have time to meditate, but we always have time to breathe. Meditation is simply the act of being aware of your breath. If you understand how crucial meditation is to your life, you will make time for it.
But I would assert that despite the wide variety of yoga options and individual preferences, there is one universal element: the union of consciousness and movement, breath and awareness. – Carre Otis
Meaning: Though there are many different types of yoga, they all have one common element: the union of breath and awareness. You can move more deliberately when you are attentive to your breathing.
“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.”- T.K.V. Desikachar
Meaning: The goal of yoga is not to perfect our physical practice but to change the way we live our lives. More peaceful interactions with others are possible when we are more mindful.
“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
Meaning: As you breathe, you absorb the energy of the cosmos. Giving that energy back to the environment is what you do when you exhale. This is a potent method for leading an intentional life.
“By changing patterns of breathing, we can change our emotional states, how we think, and how we interact with the world.” – Dr. Patricia Gerbarg
Meaning: Our breath is connected to our emotions. By modifying our breathing patterns, we can influence how we feel. Breathing is an assertive tool for self-regulation and self-care.
“Where is the delusion when the truth is known? Where is the disease when the mind is clear? Where is death when the Breath is controlled? Therefore surrender to Yoga.” – Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
Meaning: When we are able to see the truth, we are no longer deluded. When our minds are clear, we are free from disease. And when we have control over our breath, we no longer fear death. The essence of yoga is surrendering to what is.
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.” – Sylvia Plath
Meaning: These deep words from the poet Sylvia Plath remind us to listen to our own hearts. When you take a moment to listen to your heart, you realize; You are alive, and you are enough.
How to Implement These Quotes Into Your Yoga Practice
Incorporating these quotes into your yoga practice can help you to deepen your understanding of the connection between breath and awareness. Use them as a way to focus your attention on your breath and cultivate a more mindful practice. As you become more aware of your breath, you may also find that your emotions and thoughts begin to shift. By Breathing with intention, you can create powerful changes in your life.
Here are a few ways to incorporate these quotes into your yoga practice:
- Choose one quote to focus on during your practice. Make it your mantra for the session. Repeat it to yourself as you move through your practice, letting it guide your breath and awareness.
- Use the quotes as a way to reflect on your own relationship to breath and yoga. How do you interpret them? What effects might they have on your life specifically?
- Share the quotes with your yoga teacher or a fellow practitioner. Use them to start a conversation about breath and its importance in yoga.
- Write the quotes down in your journal and reflect on them after your practice. Try to gain some understanding or insight into how you can use them in your life off the mat.
- Get your favorite quotes printed out, or make your own inspirational yoga poster to hang in your practice space. Use them as a reminder to breathe mindfully every time you step onto your mat.
Parting Words
No matter how you choose to use them, these yoga quotes about breath can help you to deepen your practice and gain a greater understanding of the importance of breath in yoga. Let them inspire you to cultivate a more mindful relationship with your breath and to live your life with purpose. Try using the tips shared above to incorporate them into your yoga practice and see how they transform your experience on and off the mat.
