Photo: Annabel Ruffell
Breathwork
Where awareness goes, energy flows.
The prana yogic breath connects you to your energy and is an active meditation which is the basis for all healing. It is very effective at helping you balance your energy physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. It is simple and direct and gets you out of your mind in a powerful way as your mind can be the number one block to healing. Most people don’t breathe properly, holding their breath and breathing too shallowly to release tension and blocked energy. They live in their heads and your brain is always going to try and keep you safe! Breathwork gives you a safe outlet for repressed anger, grief, sadness, fear, stress.
Breathing has an immediate impact on your mind and body. Even the act of inhaling vs. exhaling affects your nervous system differently.
“For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth.” ~ Sanskrit proverb
During a class:
*You lie down on a yoga mat or a blanket (you would need to bring this). Some people bring an eye cover as it helps them not to get distracted. Also bring water and something warm as it can get chilly.
*Upbeat music is played during the active breathwork session, relaxing music for the end of session slow breathing.
*Active breathing happens for about 25 minutes and then the relaxed slower breathing is for about 5-10 minutes.
*During the active breathing, you may feel extreme tingling, vibrating sensations in your hands, legs, jaw, an intense desire to move or yawn.
*Every experience is different for every person depending on what they are working with, where they want to go with the work and what their body and soul feels ready to release on any given day.
*Our emotional experiences of our family, creativity, sexuality, all of our relationships and any trauma live in our lower belly - which is our Second Chakra (energy center). This is where a lot of our murkier, shadow material can hang out – shame, guilt, humiliation, things we don’t want to admit to ourselves or to others.
*When you direct attention to this area - or any other area - by infusing it again and again with your life force (breath), things begin to shake loose. We are effectively “stirring our own pot” of a lifetime of emotional experience. We then draw this breath up to the heart to be purified and transformed, and then exhale to let it all go.
Amazing benefits of breathwork:
*Changes your blood PH (acid/alkaline) in minutes. No food, exercise or medication acts as quickly.
*Changes your blood pressure.
*Helps to focus and balance the brain.
*Activates the hypothalamus gland, which in turn expands the person’s consciousness and helps with creativity and centeredness.
*It alkalizes the body by oxygenating the blood – like exercise.
*The oxygen stimulates the endorphin system through the ductless glands – hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, adrenals, ovaries, testicles – and stimulates the body to release blocked energy.
*Breath Meditation is a proven way to release tension and unwanted negative energy.
*Working with one’s energy and raising the vibration will provide a definite recharge physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
*Improves digestion.
*Helps with insomnia.
*Energises you.
**If you have a medical condition:
*If you have any medical conditions or are currently taking medication, please consult with your doctor prior to practicing breathwork and/or if you are unsure if breathwork is right for you.
"I gathered my habits and released the ones that could never lead me to joy and freedom."
- Yung Pueblo
Live with Light
© 2022 Annabel Ruffell