BREATHING WITH AWARENESS
According to the National Institute of Health half of all adults in the US will use some form of "Alternative ~ Complimentary " therapy. Disillusioned with the lack of results or complications from Traditional medicine people are turning to Holistic methods to assist in their maintenance or return of health.
For thousands of years breath and breathing have been studied used and celebrated. For whatever reason, one's awareness is drawn to breath by the health nut, athlete, singer, coach or healer, it is exciting to discover the amazing difference it makes and the power that is at our disposal and regardless of the personal need each seeker owes it to themselves to discover, explore and develop the power and potential of breath. There are several levels or characteristics of breathing such as the mechanics or the anatomy of breathing. Good posture supports and encourages good breathing, or diaphragmatic or belly breathing which encourages the usage of the full capacity of the lungs.
We are all born knowing how to breathe properly to receive optimal benefits. Through life changes, emotional trauma, stress and social teaching this pattern changes. Our personal breathing patterns are like finger prints, unique to each of us. The ways we breathe during different emotional states differ. You breathe differently when you are frightened or upset then when you are calm and relaxed.. The breathing of others is also able to affect yours. Ever noticed how you breath when listening to someone relate an irritating event in their life or watching a movie? What about the affect of listening to someone breathing while they sleep?
Observe your breath right now. What moves when you breathe? Is your breath long and slow? Quick and shallow? Does it move in and out smoothly or is it labored? Does your tummy move or your upper chest? You do this hundreds of times a day; yet you probably have never noticed or thought about it unless you are having some sort of breathing problem or being told to "just breathe...." or "take a deep breath." There are physical and emotional levels of energy that are directly connected to types of breathing patterns. This characteristic is known in China as "Chi". In Japan it is called "Ki", in India , "Prana", in Latin, "Spiritus".
Every psychological state has a corresponding breathing pattern or characteristic. Every emotional state has an associated breathing pattern and quality. As our moods, or states, shift our breathing shifts.
Let's return to your observation. Allow yourself to get an awareness of how you are physically feeling right now. Do you have pain or discomfort anywhere right now? Where is it in your body? Do you notice it change when you breathe? I am aware that you may experience much of your discomfort in the upper chest, shoulder and neck area. Everyone carries their own physical and emotional tension; however, until it becomes pain, or interferes with our ability to be and do as we wish, it is allowed to remain unattended. As a Breath worker I can tell you that you can use breath as a powerful tool. You can use your breath to clear yourself of physical, emotional and psychological tension and pain. Whatever the problem there are certain ways of breathing that can reduce or eliminate them. You can use yet another aspect or level of breath to unlock your creativity and achieve your personal highest potential.
Pain, illness or limitations should not be the only stimulus that draws your awareness to yourself. Your physical and emotional well-being are your birthright. I hope to interest you in the practice of personal awareness and the experience, power and potential of breath. As a willing participant you will need no special equipment. You can't over practice! I do have one Warning.... Conscious Breathing and Awareness can be habit forming. You could actually begin to feel good and experience side effects of joy, peace, comfort, increased energy and aliveness.
In a very direct way, another level of conscious breathing makes it possible to normalize and regulate a number of chemical and biological factors related to health. The number of medical symptoms that can actually be improved are too many to mention here today.
How is this all possible? That would be a few more articles full of material. Instead let's get into the practice and you can experience for yourself the simplicity of the process and the power of its effects. Begin by standing. Notice your posture. Take a deep breath. If your shoulders moved try again with your tummy expanding as a balloon would filling up with air. Now notice any physical sensations. Is there pain (particularly in the neck, back and shoulders)? Though the first breath may not relieve this discomfort continue to breathe in this way and notice the change in the area.
Lay down and relax completely. Allow your whole body to feel loose and soft. Notice how the breath feels as it enters and leaves you. Is it smooth or does it stumble along its path? Is the stumbling related to discomfort held anywhere in your body? Can you soften and relax that area? Continue to breathe fully and deeply, allowing the tummy to expand and softly contract as the breaths finds their way in and out.
Did you yawn? Great! Proper yawning is Yoga. Have you ever watched your cat or dog when they yawn? Their entire body moves and adjusts to receive the breath. Life giving breath is able to move to every part of the body. We have been taught to stifle yawns. But they are so good for us. Go ahead, no one is looking and if you get caught enjoying a fabulous life giving yawn, so what? Do it again and again and soon the others will follow. (You will be helping another person's health). How do you feel? Do you feel more energized? Suppressing our yawn is just one way we inhibit our bodies needs and change the proper breathing pattern .Not only does this suppression take years off our lives, but it can add to depression and squelch our spirit.
Ready to play? Now that you are breathing with awareness and using the diaphragm (belly breathing) practice breathing low and slow. This type of breathing helps you combat stress and regain your composure. It helps you to be calm. It nurtures and feeds the tissues and cells of the physical body as well. Make this a fun and easy thing. Don't breathe so slow that you strain. Make it a pleasurable experience.
Become the watcher. Watch your bodies reaction to the practice. Note where you are holding tension. How the breath moves. What you experience in the breath. Find the peace in the breath and breathe in a way that carries you deeper into the peace. Add a thought. It has been said that prayer is our conversation with God and meditation is Gods conversation with us. Affirmations are a beautiful and extremely successful way to make changes in our lives. Try this... as you inhale think..."I am relaxed"... "I am at peace...." And as you exhale think..." I am healthy and strong". You can create your own POSITIVE affirmation or thought and breathe it into every cell and tissue. Focusing on your breath is a meditation, why not add a positive affirmation?
Yogic Breathing...Yoga translates to mean union. Combine movement and breath. Athletes know the benefits of combining breath with movement. In yoga we encourage breath with movements to increase the depth and length of a stretch or movement. Holding the breath while moving in an unfamiliar way adds to the tension and decreases the outcome. Try this: as you breathe allow your hands and arms to move outward on the inhale and return with the exhale. Notice what else moves. Can you move with the breath in a way that not only shows your expansion but also improves with each breath? Next, try this ... sit on the edge of a chair or if you are comfortable, on the floor. As you inhale unroll... lift the chest, open the shoulders, lengthen the neck and raise the head. As you exhale coil into yourself. Lower the head, tuck the chin rock the ribs into the tummy. Do several repetitions; notice all aspects.
Enjoy the practice. I have heard more then one teacher say...."Fake it till you make it". Sometimes our physical awareness thinks it knows the truth of a situation. The signs of happiness you see in others are the results, not the cause of their happiness. Chasing those same results while remaining chained to the "FACTS" of a circumstance is an empty pursuit. Instead, live each day with gratitude, with wonder, awe, love and kindness. Be happy, without first requiring a reason to be. Let this be your constant mediation. "As a man thinketh so he is." The symptoms of health and happiness will begin to show in you. What's more; they'll be real and meaningful ..." to think is to create...."
Rather than expecting results to come to you from the outside, let it come from you, pouring forth from the breath. And delight in the joy your experience.
Saida Allen H.H.P
Saida4u@AOL.com
