Though we may think of deep breathing as a means only to induce states of calm, Solar Pranayama techniques are great for a morning practice or any time that you’re feeling sluggish or unmotivated during the day. Though some can be quite vigorous, they don’t need to be in order to be effective.

While meditation practices span many cultures and traditions across the globe and have been subject to a fair amount of research, techniques to cultivate a deeper breath (Pranayama) are largely exclusive to the yoga tradition and mostly unexplored scientifically. As a result, Pranayama has retained an air of secrecy that might be about to be unlocked by science. Emerging science has identified a link between breath control and the Vagus Nerve that might explain why Pranayama can be so effective for your nervous system, and how it works to balance your physiology.