Sama Vritti – Learn How to Find Balance through Equal Breath

“Just as the activities of the mind influence the breath, so does the breath influence our state of mind.”  T.K.V. Desikachar

Yogic Breathwork

First, a quick background on yogic breathwork.  Centuries ago, a holistic practice of maintaining a healthy life was outlined in treasured texts (the Vedas) written in Sanskrit (the language of ancient India).  

The word Veda means knowledge or wisdom in Sanskrit and these sacred texts provide us with time tested techniques to maintain our physical, mental, and spiritual health.  

One of these practices for improving and maintaining our health is pranayama or breath work. In Sanskrit, Prana means breath and is viewed as our vital life energy.  

Yogic teachings (and more recent scientific research) show us that through a variety of breath techniques we can balance out the imbalances we experience in our lives and improve our general health and well being. When someone tells you to “just breathe”, they are suggesting you to invoke the power of pranayama.

Sama Vritti Pranayama

Sama Vritti means equal (or same) fluctuations in Sanskrit.  To practice this pranayama or breath technique, you work to inhale and exhale in equal measure.  While it sounds simple, it may take you some practice to consistently take long slow inhalations and full complete exhalations of the same length. 

By creating balance between your inhales and exhales, you begin to balance your entire system – not just your body but also your mind. 

Self-Discovery through Pranayama

Sama Vritti Pranayama gives us important information about ourselves .  As you practice this breathwork technique, notice (without judgment) if you find it challenging to maintain your inhales and exhales in equal count.  And if so, where do you struggle – inhalation or exhalation.  

When we inhale we are bringing in fresh Prana (life force energy), when we exhale, we utilize Apana (elimination of what is no longer needed).  Energetically, the inhalation represents our ability to welcome or accept things into our lives. The exhale represents our ability to let go of or release something.  

If you struggle to take a full inhalation is there something you’re keeping at an arm’s distance which might benefit you if you welcomed it into your life? 

And if you struggle with your exhales, is there something you’re holding tightly to which is ready to be released from your life?

Observation without Judgment

It’s important you make the distinction between observing and noting the characteristics of your breath, and judging how you’re breathing.  You are not “good” or “bad” at the breathwork (or in life) because you can, or can not, balance your inhales and exhales, or because you can, or can not, lengthen them to a duration longer than someone else.  

What we learn through breathwork (and all forms of yoga) is just information – and we need to be careful to not place a value on it.  Simply use the information to inform your process of self-discovery. 

You may want to journal about your experience after using this breathwork, exploring where you felt ease and where you felt discomfort during the practice.  

If this all feels like a little more than you are ready for and you just want to try Sama Vritti to balance your system, that’s perfect! You may need a little more self-care than self-work right now – and I am so grateful to you for recognizing that (you can read more about the difference between self-work and self-care here).