BREATHWORK

What does the term ‘breathwork’ mean to you? To me it means being aware of the breath, the mechanics of breathing and learning to use the breath to alter the physiology. In yoga and meditation, we employ a variety of breathing ratios (see below) to enable better connection with the body and mind.

Keeping it simple from the start let us consider why we breathe. The body is happiest when it is in a balanced state – a particular amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. When the carbon dioxide level becomes too high the body aims to balance that by breathing out. The out-breath is balanced by the in-breath as fresh, oxygenated air enters the lungs and is transferred to the bloodstream. And so, the cycle continues. If we forget about our breathing the body, does it all on its own – automatically.

In our short introductory course to breathwork we talk about the muscles and mechanics involved in breathing – I think it is very useful to appreciate how the body works before embarking on a ‘how to manipulate’ journey.

Every breath you take

In discussing the quality of each breath, we can choose to alter our rate and timing of breathing and in doing so we can alter certain aspects of our wider physiology and mental state.  For example, we can choose to make the inhale and the exhale of an equal length in both timing and quality. The timing and power of this calming breath should be easily maintained – perhaps inhaling to a count of 6 with a slight pause before an exhale to a count of 6 then short pause – and repeat. This is the simplest breath ratio and one which has numerous benefits amongst which are – a state of calm which brings the awareness back to the body rather than letting our mind run away with itself, a temporary reduction in blood pressure and slower heart rate. In the new breathwork course we discuss and teach this, along with 2 other breath ratios which are useful to enhance energy and vitality – and conversely to totally relax the body and mind ready for sleep.

There’s lots to learn

There are a myriad of other breath ratios and as may teaching schools offering their branded ‘type’ of breathing. Let’s keep it simple and learn how the breath works and how we can control this ‘autonomic’ function. Let’s embrace a level of confidence and awareness in the body which may come in useful for those with the potential for breath and lung diseases.

Breathwork Course

If you would like to know more about the upcoming short breathwork course please use the contact form.