What Yoga Teachers Should Know About Breathing Physiology

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen are joined by special guest Joe Miller, MS to discuss the physiology of breathing.

Joe Miller has been teaching yoga since 2000, and he has a master’s degree in applied physiology from Columbia University. He teaches anatomy and physiology in yoga teacher trainings nationally and worldwide. He’s also a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.

Points of discussion include:

• Joe’s yoga backstory and how he got into physiology
• Has the yoga world historically been insular by nature, and is that changing?
• Why do we breathe?
• How is breathing controlled?
• What is anaerobic vs. aerobic respiration?
• Is it helpful to teach yoga students to breathe “fully and deeply” all throughout their yoga practice?
• Do we have “stale” air in our lungs that we clear out with full exhales?
• What different effects do breathing into the belly, rib cage, and upper chest have?
• What physiological effects does ujjayi breathing have?
• Is it helpful for yoga teachers to remind people to breathe?
• Is it helpful to pair specific movements in yoga with specific phases of the breath (inhale or exhale)?
• …And much more!

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!


Resources mentioned in this episode:

Learn more from Joe Miller: website / Instagram / YouTube

YouTube video (Joe Miller): Does Deep Breathing Increase Blood Oxygen?

Breathing 101 Course with Joe Miller

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni

Strength for Yoga email newsletter

To find out more about Travis Pollen: website / Instagram

Music used with generous permission from Dischord A Cappella.

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