Lion’s breath, or simhasana pranayama in Sanskrit, is one powerful breath that can help you clear your throat chakra, become more energized, and more. Here’s what lion’s breath is all about, how to do it, and tips to keep in mind when you do. This technique gets its name because as you sit for lion’s breath, your posture resembles that of a sitting lion. (In Sanskrit, simha means “lion.”) In the yogic tradition, lion’s breath is thought to help people balance or clear their throat chakras and strengthen their lungs. It’s also an energizing breath and is often done before a physical yoga practice. Traditionally, lion’s breath is done in lion’s pose: From a kneeling position, you cross your right ankle on top of the left, and sit back with your right heel on the perineum. That said, lion’s breath can also be performed cross-legged, in half-lotus, in thunderbolt, in hero’s pose, or even in a chair. From there, you can choose to fix your gaze toward your third eye (between your eyebrows), the tip of your nose, or up toward the ceiling. On top of these benefits, pranayama, in general, has a wide variety of benefits and applications, with research showing it can help regulate the nervous system1, ease anxiety2, and improve overall attention and focus3. Sitting in lion’s pose also won’t be comfortable for those with knee injuries. If that’s you, you can opt to sit in a chair or another comfortable position instead.
