Are You Breathing Wrong? 🤯 Let’s Fix That!

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “Breathing? Really? I’ve been doing this my whole life.” But trust me, this blew my mind during yoga teacher training 🧘‍♀️—most of us aren’t breathing correctly! 😱 Let’s break it down:

Belly Breathing vs. Chest Breathing

Your breath should travel all the way to your belly. If it’s stopping at your chest, you’re missing out on the magic ✨. Chest breathing = shallow breathing, which keeps your body in “fight or flight” mode. Hello, anxiety! 😬

Next time you’re people-watching (aka your fave hobby, right?), notice how many people are chest breathers. You’ll be shocked. Take a deep inhale now—does your belly expand? If not, it’s time to start practising belly breathing. Not only does it calm your mind 🕊️, but it also helps your organs get a nice little oxygen massage.

Why Do Yoga Teachers Ask You to Exhale Through the Mouth? 🤔

If you’ve been to one of my classes (or any yoga class), you’ve probably heard me say, “Exhale through your mouth with a sigh!” But wait—didn’t I just tell you to close your mouth? Here’s why:

I always encourage my students to inhale and exhale through their nose whenever possible. It’s the best way to train your body to make nose breathing a habit. BUT... sometimes we need to release tension, and that’s where the mouth exhale comes in.

That big, satisfying sigh you let out? It’s a way to let go of any stress or tightness in your body. The most important part of your breath is inhaling through your nose, so while the exhale can be through your mouth or nose, I like to keep it simple and encourage nose breathing for both.

CLOSE THAT MOUTH! 👏

I tell this to literally everyone—friends, family, students (and now you 😉). Breathing through your nose isn’t just fancy yoga talk; it’s essential.

Your nose has a built-in air filter (thank you, nose hairs! 🦠✨), while your mouth has… nothing. 😬 Ever blown your nose after a day on the Tube or in a dusty room and seen black gunk? That’s dirt your nose caught for you. If you’re a mouth breather, all that grime is heading straight into your lungs. Gross, right?

Pro tip: Be mindful of your mouth during the day—close it! And yes, I also shout this at myself in traffic. 😂

Mouth Tape for Better Sleep 😴

Hear me out: mouth taping at night is a GAME. CHANGER. ✨ I was sceptical too, but now I can’t sleep without it. By taping your mouth shut (yes, really!), you train your body to breathe through your nose, leading to deeper, uninterrupted sleep. 💤

My sleep is so much better now—no more tossing and turning. I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out!

The Belly Test: Are You Breathing Like a Baby? 👶

Ever noticed how babies or puppies breathe? Their bellies rise as they inhale and fall as they exhale. That’s the natural way to breathe! But as we grow older and life gets stressful, we shift to chest breathing.

For women especially, society drills into us to “suck in our stomachs” for flat tummies. 🚫 STOP THAT. Belly breathing isn’t just healthy—it’s empowering. Let your belly rise proudly as you inhale and fall gently as you exhale.

Let’s Summarise:

✔️ Inhale through your nose. Always.

✔️ Exhale through your nose (or your mouth if you need to release tension).

✔️ Breathe into your belly, not just your chest.

✔️ Keep your mouth shut (with love, of course 💕).

✔️ Try mouth tape for deeper, more restful sleep.

✔️ Let your belly rise and fall—it’s natural, not a flaw!

Your breath is powerful. It’s free. And it’s the key to better health and a calmer mind. Go forth and breathe like a pro.