Ever wondered why when caught in a stressful situation, people around you will ask you to take a deep breath? Here’s why. “Taking a deep long breath helps relax your muscles and a rush of oxygen improves the blood circulation, rejuvenating the system,” says yoga expert Yasmin Dogra.

Progressive muscle relaxation is an organised technique of breathing that helps reduce anxiety. “As part of progressive muscle relaxation or PMR as it’s called, one has to tense and relax one’s body muscles in a regular pattern while taking deep breaths,” says Yasmin adding, “One has to make sure the eyes are shut and energies focused on the group of muscles that are being tensed and relaxed at the moment.” It starts from the feet and slowly progresses towards the upper half of the body.

PMR is known to put one in a deep state of relaxation and helps cure physical as well as mental aliments. Some of the benefits include anxiety reduction, improved blood circulation, curing insomnia and reduction of aches and pains among other things.