Breathwork is one of the most powerful spiritual practices that we have to bring us in to a state of equanimity. With so much happening in our lives, knowing how to bring your energy into a calm and centered state is key to living a life without suffering and with more ease and joy.
Our breath not only keeps us alive but is the vital life force and essence of life. It brings energy into our bodies that connects us with the universe. It is the cosmic bridge between the physical and our mind and heart.
The breath helps us create space within our bodies and in our lives. We use only ten percent of our lung capacity. For most of us, our default breath is usually shallow and tense residing mostly in our chests. Just by being mindful of our breath, we can begin to breathe more deeply, creating space
We can also use the breath to become consciously aware of what’s going inside us. It puts us in touch with our bodies and how we’re feeling at any given moment. It alerts us to the triggers or reactions that arise. The quality of the mind is directly linked to the quality of our breath. Our chaotic, squirrel-like minds often distract us from our soul essence: yet, our breath brings us back to our true essential self, the seat of the soul.
The breath itself, is the internal healer. That’s why it’s important to incorporate breathwork into your daily life because it calms the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. It also helps increase concentration, creativity, and clarity. A few of the spiritual practices that can assist you are: Tai Chi, meditation, Chi Gong, and yoga. These practices all provide a sacred space for you to notice, observe, and become aware of your breath.
Here are 4 breath exercises to enhance your conscious awareness:
1) Use Your Breath to Build Awareness: Slow down and create space between one breath and another. Be mindful of your breath as you make a transition whether it’s between one thought to another, one movement to another, or one choice to another. As you slow down, pay attention to your breath. It provides the pause so you can become aware of what kind of energy you are bringing to the moment.
2) Practice Mindful Breathing: The breath elevates your vibration by calming the body, specifically the parasympathetic nervous system. Notice your breath and it will tell you where you are. A 4:4:8 count breath exercise recalibrates your energies and brings you back into balance and high vibration. You inhale for 4 counts, pause at the top of the breath for 4 counts and then exhale for 8 counts. Pausing at the top of the breath and lengthening the exhale are important elements in calming the body and recalibrating your energy to a higher frequency.
3) Practice Ocean Breathing: Bring your attention to how your body feels. Notice the ebb and flow of your breath as you inhale and exhale. Like the waves going in and out from the shore, your breath goes in and out too. Try to focus breathing into your belly on each inhale. As the wave of breath comes in, pause at the top of the wave. Then exhale focusing on the wave going out and pause at the end of the exhale. The longer the exhale the more you will calm the energy down. Notice how you feel as you breathe in and out. Let your whole body be filled with this life force energy. Now focus your attention at your heart and drop down into this space. Feel your body relax as you breathe into this space.
4) A Five-Minute Breath Exercise to Recalibrate Your Energies: Gently close your eyes and focus your attention on your breath. Simply notice the ebb and flow of your breath as you inhale and then exhale. Whatever is going for you, you’re ok. You are in a safe space and your body is just letting you know where you are.
Take a few deep breaths and this time breathe all the way down through your body to the tips of your toes. Now sigh out all of your fear and any tension in your body. Keep sighing until you feel some space in your chest and diaphragm and some relief of the tension in your body.
Follow your breath to the center of your chest, to your heart center. Lightly place your hand on your heart and notice your energy here. Take a few more deep cleansing breaths and direct your attention to your heart. Breathe in love and breathe out any fear. Feel the connection here to your divine source, the seat of your soul.
