One way to help strengthen the lungs, oxygenate the blood, and simultaneously relax and invigorate the entire body is to practice a technique called Energizing Breath.
Stand with your feet together or a comfortable distance apart and turn your palms out. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose as you raise your arms out to the sides and above your head, joining your palms at the end of the inhalation. As you exhale audibly through your mouth, turn your palms down as you bring your hands back to your sides. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Then relax your arms, shoulders, neck, and face.
To deepen your practice, with each exhalation, repeat out loud “Nitai Gaur” for the length of your exhalation (Niiiiiiiiiiii—-Taiiiiiiiiiii—-Gauurrrrrr). Then, when you inhale, for the length of the inhalation, repeat the sound mentally to yourself for the length of your inhalation.
