The practice of pranayama brings our awareness to what we already have. And one thing that we all have is our breath.
SOMATIC BREATHING FOR GROUNDING
In moments of worry, overwhelm, or imbalance, it can feel as though you're disconnected from your inner center. This somatic breathing practice is designed to gently guide you back into a state of calm and balance by grounding both your body and mind. By focusing on slow, intentional breaths, you can reestablish a sense of connection with the present moment, allowing the mind to settle and physical tension to release.
Somatic breathing encourages deep awareness of your body’s sensations and rhythms, which can serve as an anchor when external circumstances feel overwhelming. By shifting attention to the breath, you create space to quiet racing thoughts and ease emotional turbulence. This practice helps you to soften any built-up stress or anxiety while inviting a feeling of stability and clarity into your being.
As you engage in this simple yet effective practice, notice how the breath flows through your body, nurturing your sense of inner calm. Each exhale can carry away the weight of tension, while every inhale brings in fresh energy and peace. With consistent practice, somatic breathing can become a powerful tool for restoring equilibrium and grounding yourself, no matter the external circumstances. It reminds you that, even in challenging times, you have the capacity to return to a place of inner balance and stability.
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. There was something deeply fulfilling about the idea of sharing knowledge and helping others grow. When I went to college, I chose History as my major, envisioning a future where I'd be teaching children about the world and the lives of great people. To support myself during my studies, I worked as a waitress, which brought its own set of challenges and stressors. The physical demands and mental stress led me to seek out nourishing ways to take care of my body and mind.
I've always been an active person, with a love for running and playing volleyball. But during those college years, I felt the need to try something new, something that could help me find balance amidst the chaos. That’s when I stumbled upon a local yoga studio in Queens, NY.
From the moment I stepped into that studio, I felt a profound shift. I never expected this to happen. Just one hour a day of moving and breathing with fellow yogis worked wonders for my physical and emotional wellbeing. I felt more centered, more in tune with myself, and more capable of handling life's stresses.
As soon as I graduated college, I knew I had to dive deeper into this transformative practice. I enrolled in a yoga teacher training program, eager to share the benefits of yoga with others. At the same time, while searching for "real jobs" in education, I took a kids yoga teacher training to boost my confidence and equip myself with out-of-the-box tools for working with children.
Teaching yoga to kids in afterschool programs and to families on weekends was a revelation. I realized that I didn’t want to be confined to teaching facts and giving tests. I wanted to witness the profound changes that occur when a child learns to take deep, relaxed breaths and harnesses this power to self-regulate. I wanted to create spaces where students of all ages could connect to their bodies through the rhythmic movement of Sun Salutations and increase their self-esteem through trying more challenging yoga poses.
Although my yoga teaching journey began with kids, I’ve seen the same transformative power in all my students, regardless of age. It fills me with immense gratitude to be a part of their yoga journeys. Watching my students grow, seeing them find peace and strength on their mats, and knowing that I can contribute to their wellbeing is the most rewarding experience I could have ever imagined.
- Oxana, founder of Yes Yes Yoga