20 Fascinating Breath Facts Every Yoga Teacher Should Know

Breathe deeper. Teach wiser. Transform lives.

Breath is at the heart of every yoga class — and yet, it’s so often overlooked.

We cue it casually:
🌀 “Take a deep breath.”
🌀 “Inhale, arms up.”

But what if we understood the true power of the breath — not just as a cue, but as a tool for deep healing, nervous system regulation, and inner transformation?

The breath isn’t just something we do. It is a bridge — between the body and the mind, the seen and the unseen, the outer world and the inner self.

So here are 20 fascinating, science-backed breath facts that will deepen your teaching, awaken your students’ awareness, and help you bring breathwork to life in your classes.

20 Breath Facts to Share With Your Students

1. Your nose is designed for breathing.
   Your mouth is for eating, talking, and smiling — not breathing.
2. Nasal breathing warms, filters, and humidifies air.
   This protects your lungs and strengthens your immune system.
3. Mouth breathing can cause dental issues.
   It dries the mouth and reduces saliva, which raises the risk of cavities and gum disease.
4. Your diaphragm — not your chest — is your main breathing muscle.
   Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing promotes oxygen exchange and relaxes the nervous system.
5. Slow, deep breaths send a safety signal to your body.
   This activates the parasympathetic nervous system — your “rest and digest” mode.
6. Breath is the only automatic function you can consciously control.
   That makes it your fastest tool for changing your mental and emotional state.
7. Most people only use 30% of their breathing capacity.
   This contributes to fatigue, poor posture, and lack of focus.
8. Mouth breathing increases water loss by up to 40%.
   Nasal breathing keeps you more hydrated — especially during a strong yoga practice.
9. Left nostril breathing has a calming effect.
   It cools and soothes the nervous system, helping you unwind or sleep.
10. Right nostril breathing is energising.
    It activates the sympathetic nervous system and your internal fire.
11. Humming boosts nitric oxide levels.
    Nitric oxide improves circulation, opens the sinuses, and supports immune health.
12. Mouth breathing in children can change facial structure.
    It may lead to narrow jaws, long faces, and crowded teeth.
13. Pausing after the inhale builds awareness.
    That tiny moment of stillness is a powerful entry point into presence.
14. Your breath mirrors your emotional state.
    Anxiety = fast and shallow. Calm = slow and deep.
15. Slow breathing improves Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
    HRV is a key indicator of nervous system balance and emotional resilience.
16. Breath is contagious.
    As a teacher, when you breathe slowly, your students often unconsciously follow.
17. Yawning is a nervous system reset.
    Don’t suppress it! Yawning is your body’s way of asking for a deeper breath.
18. Nasal breathing increases oxygen uptake by up to 20%.
    It’s more efficient — especially during movement and exercise.
19. You can shift your mental state in just 2 minutes using breath.
    Breath is always available, always free, and deeply transformational.
20. Breath is the bridge between body and mind.
    It links movement with stillness, energy with awareness, and presence with peace.

Weave These Into Your Teaching

You might:

• Choose a fact to centre your class theme around
• Share one as a teaching tip during savasana or transitions
• Use them in newsletters, workshops, or journaling prompts
• Inspire short breath-based practices or visualisations

Your students don’t just want poses. They want connection. And the breath is often the missing key.

“When the breath wanders, the mind is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed, the mind too will be still.”
— Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Want to Feel More Confident Teaching Breathwork?

If this blog has sparked new inspiration and you’re wondering how to bring breath into your classes in a way that feels natural and grounded, I’ve created something just for you.

✨ How to Introduce Breathwork Into Class – a Free 3-Part Email Series for yoga teachers & wellness practitioners

In this mini-series, you’ll learn simple, science-backed ways to weave breath into your teaching — without overwhelm or awkwardness.

You’ll receive:

• 💛 Day 1: Why Breath is the Missing Link in Most Yoga Classes
• 💛 Day 2: How to Use the Breath to Calm, Ground & Transform
• 💛 Day 3: Simple Breath Cues That Leave a Lasting Impact

Each email includes practical tips, gentle reflections, and easy breath practices to use straight away — plus a special invitation to go deeper with our upcoming course Breath and the Seasons.

👉 Click here to sign up and start the journey — your first email will arrive soon.

---

Want to Deepen Your Breath Knowledge?

If this kind of breath wisdom lights you up, I’d love to invite you into something truly special:

🌿 Breath and the Seasons – A 3-Part Online Course
Co-taught by myself and the wonderful Sue Woodd, this course is designed for yoga teachers and wellness practitioners who want to explore the breath through the lens of seasonal wisdom, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Five Elements.

You’ll Learn How To:

✨ Teach breath practices that calm, uplift, and balance energy
✨ Support emotional wellbeing and nervous system health
✨ Intuitively weave breath into your classes with confidence

We begin in September, and everything is recorded if you can’t join live.

👉 Click here to learn more and sign up

FAQ

Q: Why is nasal breathing better than mouth breathing?
A: Nasal breathing filters, warms, and humidifies the air, protects your lungs, boosts immunity, and supports hydration — especially during physical activity or yoga.

Q: What is the diaphragm’s role in breathing?
A: The diaphragm is your primary breathing muscle. When engaged properly through belly breathing, it supports better oxygen exchange and calms the nervous system.

Q: How can I teach breathwork confidently as a yoga teacher?
A: Start by learning the science and wisdom behind the breath. Focus on simple techniques, offer breath-based themes, and trust your own embodied experience. Trainings like Breath and the Seasons can support your journey.

Q: Can breathwork really change how I feel?
A: Absolutely. Your breath is intimately connected to your nervous system and emotions. In just a few conscious minutes, breath can shift you from stress to calm, fog to focus.