WHAT’S BREATHWORK?

What is Breathwork?

Breathwork techniques are many and valuable. What I am offering is a Breathwork practice, called pranayama vyana vayu in Sanskrit, that’s been around 4-5000 years developed by sages in India. This active Breathwork or Pranayama is a powerful and ancient practice gaining in popularity. It used to coveted but now it’s gone mainstream and it’s a huge benefit to all of us!

It’s conscious breathing which is a three-part circular breath done all through the mouth without a pause, drawing the breath first into the belly, then the chest, and then exhaled and repeated; a breathing loop if you will. It’s usually three rounds including breath holds between rounds which increases CO2 that literally feeds new fresh oxygen into your cells. Deep breathing releases feel-good hormones creating a feeling of well being and bliss

Conscious breathing moves stagnant energy in our bodies by stimulating cerebrospinal fluid and our vegas nerve. This increases our prana, or life force energy, kundalini or chi. If these words are too foreign, then put simply, in western terms, it acts upon our central nervous system moving us from imbalance aka flight or fight response, (our sympathetic nervous system) to calm via rest and digest, (our parasympathetic nervous system.) The release of feel-good hormones and the reset of your nervous system back to your natural state of balance and calm and oxygenating your system can create real shifts in your emotional and physical wellbeing. This practice alleviates stress, increases your immunity, builds lung capacity and endurance, reduces inflammation, detoxifies the body, and alkalizes the blood, You are likely to feel freer, peaceful, inspired, compassionate, and more joyful! Here is an article that explains why and what breathing does for us. The practice is very safe but there are some contraindications. Please review them here before a session.

The Science

“Studies are revealing that, by changing the patterns of breathing, it is possible to restore balance to the stress response systems, calm an agitated mind, relieve symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), improve physical health and endurance, elevate performance, and enhance relationships.” (An excerpt from the book, The Healing Power of the Breath, by doctors Richard P. Brown and Patricia L. Gerbarg)