In my yoga classes, we always come back to the breath — because how you breathe shapes how you feel, both on and off the mat.
Many of us don’t even realise we’ve developed habits of non-optimal breathing — patterns that drift away from the natural, nourishing way our bodies were designed to breathe. When our breath becomes shallow or rushed, it sends subtle signals of stress to the body and mind, and over time this can take a real toll.
Common breathing patterns
Here are a few common patterns I see in my yoga classes (and with my massage clients as well), and what they can do:
Shallow Breathing — When you breathe mostly into your chest, using the shoulders and neck instead of the diaphragm, your breaths tend to be short and quick. This doesn’t fully fill the lungs, and can leave you feeling anxious or fatigued.
Overbreathing (Hyperventilation) — Taking in more air than your body actually needs — often during times of stress, panic, or even just a busy day — can upset the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your body and make you feel lightheaded or tense.
Mouth Breathing — Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose can dry out your airways, disrupt sleep, and often goes hand in hand with overbreathing.
These habits can show up as:
✨ Heightened stress and anxiety, as your body stays stuck in “fight or flight” mode.
✨ Fatigue, headaches, and trouble focusing, from lower oxygen delivery.
✨ Muscle tension, especially in your neck, shoulders, and jaw.
✨ Poor sleep and even worsened symptoms if you have asthma or other respiratory issues.
How Yoga and Breathwork Can Help
Just like anything else that we do, good breathing is something you can relearn — and yoga is a beautiful way to do it.
The breath is our most constant companion, and it’s such a powerful teacher when we learn to listen to it — because it quietly mirrors what’s going on inside us.
This is why, in yoga, we say that the breath is a bridge between the body and the mind. By simply paying attention to it, by softening and slowing it down, you can begin to shift your inner state. You don’t have to “fix” your thoughts or force yourself to feel a certain way — you just come back to your breath, and let it guide you back to a place of balance.
When you step onto your mat, I invite you to notice: what is your breath telling you today? And then see how, with each conscious inhale and each gentle exhale, you can begin to create the calm you’re seeking — from the inside out.
I look forward to helping you breathe better and feel better in class.
Photo by Arnaud Mesureur on Unsplash
