By Karl Wente, 5th generation winegrower/winemaker

One of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts to us is the gift of oxygen. It may seem so simple, yet it’s something we often take for granted in the busy day to day of life. Like many of you, I was only taught to breathe deeply in stressful situations. Later in life, my yoga practice taught me the power of breathing: When we take a step back and focus on our breath, it makes us fully present. In Sanskrit, these exercises are part of a larger practice called Pranayama; “prana” means not just breath but also the life energy that fills the universe, and “yama” means restraint or control. The focus of these breathing practices are not simply inhalation and exhalation- I like to think of it as drawing in good energy and letting go of tension or stress that our body holds, helping our minds become more attuned to the present.

The simple breathing exercises in this short, two-minute video help me center myself before large tastings, business meetings, and help me sleep better while I’m on the road. I hope the following practice will help you as much as it’s helped me. Remember, a practice has no destination…only goals and intentions.