Long deep breathing technics are used in the begining of each class. The slower you breath, thoughts become slower, which will lead to a meditated clearing of subconscious mind. The rate of breath and your state of mind are inseperatable. The mind follows the breath and the body follows the mind. The deeper our inhalation, the deeper our connection with heaven, the deeper your exhalation the deeper is your connection with Earth. It is healing and grounding.
Breath Practices, or Pranayams are a major component of the teachings from Yogi Bhajan brought to the West. Breath of Fire, Sitali Pranayam, Dog Breath and Cannon Breath among others, bring vitality and strength to the nervous system and balance to the glandular system. Breath signatures and breath rate are ways to observe the breath in regard to temperament, stress, resilience and success.