by Nina by Melina Meza Yoga breath practices (pranayama) allow you to self regulate. When you need soothing, you can use calming breath practices. When you need uplifting or energizing, you can use stimulating breath practices. And when you need just a moderate amount of calming or stimulating, you can use balancing practices. A balancing breath, such as when you make your inhalations and your exhalations the same length or practice Alternate Nostril Breath, you are only very subtly affecting your nervous system, maybe only slightly stimulating or calming it (depending on your current state). So these breath practices are good for times when you feel like you need “balancing” such as in the morning when you first wake up and want just a bit of stimulation or when you’ve just left work and want just a bit of calming. And if you’re anxious and having mild breathing problems, practicing an equal breath (sama vritti) can help you get your breathing back under control, making it more steady...