Day 16 - Discipline | BREATH - A 30 Day Yoga Journey

We are slowing things down today as we begin the second half of this journey. I will introduce some foundational elements for the next wave of this journey, as well as offer practice of a new technique called breath ratio. Breath ratios are breath patterns set to counts. They are a wonderful tool for expanding your awareness and ability to control your breath.

They are also full of transformative potential and wonderful to pull out of your tool kit when you are feeling mentally, physically, or emotionally stressed or lost.

They can be short, or long, but they do require a bit of focus and yes you guessed it…. discipline.

This whole session is low to the ground with a nice therapeutic breath for the arms, shoulders, and wrists. As it is seated, do sit up on your blanket if you have one. If you need to do some or all this practice in a chair or on the edge of a couch, do it.

This session invites you into the classroom. Let me know how today’s practice goes for you in the comment section down below.

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🩵 BREATH - Downloadable Collection 🩵
Based on requests from the community, we are excited to announce a downloadable version of BREATH. It is offered on a donation basis, so just pay what feels good!

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Yoga With Adriene, LLC recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any recommendations and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, and assume all risk of injury to yourself.

[yogawithadriene]

This practice is one in which you are invited to come as you are.
All the things that you may see as distractions or things that are not working in your favor... use it.
Enjoy your time on the mat today!

[susannabello]

Isn’t it amazing that we are breathing all together from different parts of The World? ✨

[colleens.]

I have always marveled at how Adriene could inhale for seemingly impossible periods of time, thinking, "How in the world does she have such super human lungs?" Today I completely surprised myself by realizing that I could also breathe in for a count of 8; I just had to SLOW it down. So cool when something finally clicks!

[PhysiqueQuantique]

me: *fidgeting*
Adriene: "try not to fidget here, please"
me: *checks for hidden cameras*

[MsGuerita]

Adriene: "we're not crushing into the hands here"

Me: "we're not?"

Thanks for the frequent reminders to adjust, Adriene! And yes, I had that moment of exquisite stillness 🙏🏻

[karrirussell]

This practice is exactly what my post-COVID body and lungs needed. So incredibly restorative and healing. My lungs have not been the same since COVID hit me at the end of October, although they continue to improve. I can see now that incorporating more ratios will help, and I'll add the holding at the top, too. To have this series focus on the breath, when so many are struggling to catch theirs, or losing their lives because they cannot, is not lost on me. I FEEL ALIVE after this practice (and after most yoga), and - more importantly, perhaps - I FEEL THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE today to experience the joy of breath. Thank you, Adriene.

[ladygetslit]

Wow, totally not what I expected for a “discipline” practice, but much needed! Now I’m thinking about why I think of hard work and no pain no gain as discipline... it takes just as much discipline to show up and sit with yourself when your emotions are out of whack. Happy Day 16 everybody! We got this! ✨

[jennifernelson]

It took me 4 years of doing this 30 day challenge to realize that if you miss a day, NO NEED TO TRIP. NO NEED to try to force in 2+ practices per day to “catch up” (as I’ve done in the past)!! The purpose of this journey is to be where I am today, not feel pressured in any way <3 I really, really needed this breath work today, thank you for a lovely practice!!

[Annie-pzcr]

I can NEVER sit still and straight for more than ten minutes without being in pain but I only felt uncomfortable at the very very end!! proud of myself!

[laurenhendrickson]

Wanted to share a favorite poet of mine today to thank Adriene, see y’all tomorrow!

If you find yourself half naked
and barefoot in the frosty grass, hearing,
again, the earth's great, sonorous moan that says
you are the air of the now and gone, that says
all you love will turn to dust,
and will meet you there, do not
raise your fist. Do not raise
your small voice against it. And do not
take cover. Instead, curl your toes
into the grass, watch the cloud
ascending from your lips. Walk
through the garden's dormant splendor.
Say only, thank you.
Thank you.
-Ross Gay

[milliedee]

Adriene- “take a deep breath”
Me -MASSIVE YAWN 🥱

[averyadventurous]

For anyone who may have struggled with this today: this type of thing is used by musicians as part of a thing called breathing gym. My college marching band would do breathing gym for 15 minutes every single day to build up breath control so we would be able to play calmly and smoothly while marching. It takes a lot of practice and, yes, discipline to really master. So if this was difficult, remember that this is just like a muscle - it must be built up carefully over time. You are far from alone in your struggles, and your breath control will only go up from here!

[VampX]

That level of connection you feel at the end after doing the 8-8 breath is amazing. Such a serene sense of stillness and calm. Thank you, Adriene and Benji (and everyone else who is also following along on this journey). <3

[caseym.sellick]

I was waiting for a "hey oh!" after "the awareness just starts to trickle into all parts" 😂These 16 days have been great! This is my fourth year doing the 30-day journey, and this year I'm doing it with my partner who is in a different country because of the current situation. It's so nice to wake up and get that "ready?" message - doing something together while physically being apart 😸

[benteverbeek]

*Adriene wears socks for the first time this journey* Everybody graps their socks.

[MarinaVieiraSouza]

Guys, so many amazing things happened that I got to share:
- I was doing the ocean breath from the beginning but it wasn't until the last cycle that I truly FELT it going through my throat
- usually when I practice breathing the hardest part is exhaling, as I feel like I ran out of air before the counting ends. But this time it was the opposite! I felt like my lungs had no more room for air, and again, it wasn't until the last cycle that I was able to slow down the intake and reach the count of 8
- when it ended I felt so much love for myself that I put my head in my hands, then hugged myself 😂 lol. Glad I was alone, it was a little weird.

Happy day 16!!!!

[rachelpownall]

i took quite a few days off so anyone who is doing it after everyone else, we got this !!!!

[lajsah]

I had taken of my socks, then saw Adrienne wearing socks and quickly got excited and put them back on! 😂😀 really enjoyed this!

[listan]

Fun fact: Discipline comes from the word 'disciple' which means student. So as Adriene says let's take the opportunity to learn each day on and off the mat. :) What have you learnt today? Have a lovely day, people!

[mayabarber]

Adriene: "alright this time we'll breathe in for four and exhale for, you guessed it..."
Me confidently: "three"
Adriene: "five"
*my brain immediately*: "a child" "no"