The Power of Breath

The act of breathing is our body’s most vital function, yet most of us pay little attention to it.  We have never really learned how to breathe correctly! Our breath is our connection to life.  It is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we die.  It is an indication of how we perceive life in general.  If our breath is flowing and fully connected, we generally feel that way about life. 

According to yogic teachings, breathing, in addition to bringing fresh oxygen, brings life force energy, or prana.  When we restrict our breath we are denying ourselves access to the available energy all around us.  By using full open breathing patterns, we can have much greater health.  Deep diaphragmatic breathing has many physical benefits.  It massages internal organs and helps soothe the nervous system.  It helps to release toxins in the body and promotes oxygenation of the cells.  Breathing deep into the diaphragm has shown great success in reducing anxiety and stress. Awareness is the first step in reconnecting with your breathing to achieve wellness.

Take a few moments to connect with your breath.  How are you breathing right now?  Place your hand on your abdomen and the other on the center of your chest.  Take a deep breath through an open mouth so that more oxygen can enter the body and then exhale.  Continue this deep rhythmic breathing for 3 rounds.  What do you notice?  Is there any movement in your stomach area?  Typically, where you restrict your breath is an indication of where you are restricted in life.  If there is little to no movement in the belly, you may not be as grounded or focused as you may like to be.  When you took those few breaths was there movement in your heart area?  If not, you may experience some symptoms there or may not feel as joyful or loving as you would like.  A shallow breath or holding on to your breath can cause great anxiety and stress on the body.

Learning to breath properly is a little like learning a new instrument: it takes time and practice.  It may be a slow start, but over time your body and your mind and your spirit will thank you.

Namasté