I have always been that someone who is never good at sitting still. In the past, I always find it
super uncomfortable whenever I have to sit through the silent time catered for breathing in yoga
classes. I could not even shut my eyes for a good 1 minute.
But of course, when you undergo a course, there was in a way, not much of a choice because
Jessica would cater 15-20 minutes everyday purely just for breathing. Ridiculous to say, but I
actually learnt how to properly do deep breathing only during the YTT course. The idea I had
about breathing in and out through the nose was to just fill in the lungs with oxygen, and then
release the air fully during exhalation. Little did I know that deep breathing has got more to do
with just that! I learnt to open my ribs and expand my stomach as I inhale and close my ribs and
contract my stomach as I exhale.
“Deep breathing will help to reduce stress”, this was something I never understood until I
experienced Ujjayi. Personally, practising Ujjayi allows me to gather my thoughts and put them
aside as I try to focus on breathing and sitting still every morning during the course. It might still
be a challenge for me to sit still and stay focus throughout the whole time, but like what Jessica
always says, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS OF LEARNING 🙂
Lisa
200 Hour YTT Nov’19
