Breath Therapy

WHAT IS BREATH THERAPY?

Breath Therapy is an original healing art based on ancient Eastern disciplines, as well as modern Western methods. It represents a unique approach to wellness in spirit, mind and body. It was developed over the last 20 years, and it has proven itself to be effective in all psychosomatic illness, and as potent force in the worldwide human potential movement.

THERE ARE TWO CENTRAL IDEAS IN BREATH THERAPY:

The first is this: In the average person, the breathing mechanism is functioning at only a fraction of its potential. The "normal" breathing system has been damaged, inhibited, due to a number of conditions and events, beginning at birth, and including family and cultural influences, as well as every physical and emotional trauma you have survived. Your breathing system needs to be "healed," brought back up to the level that nature intended.

The second idea is this: When full free breathing is restored, every system in the body begins to work better. We find that the breath itself naturally heals and renews the body, mind and spirit. "Conscious Breathing" becomes a very powerful self-directed healing process. The breath reveals itself to be an untapped natural resource, a therapeutic tool, for health, growth and change.

THE PRACTICE OF BREATH THERAPY

Practice involves the application of Breath Awareness and Breathing Techniques in a number of settings and for a variety of purposes, ranging from peak athletic performance to profound spiritual awakening, from substance abuse prevention to creative artistic expression. The initial exercises are designed to allow one to discover, explore, and develop the power and potential of the breath and breathing.

“Breath Therapy techniques offer quick, effective ways to clear your head, to settle your stomach, to calm your nerves, and to open your heart.”

Breath Therapy is always presented and practiced in a "heart-centered" atmosphere, with certain goals or parameters in mind: Wholeness and Oneness, Freedom and Safety, Energy and Aliveness, Peace and Power, Health and Happiness, Love and Light.

The Principles of Breath Therapy

1. The Technique

Breath Therapy makes use of a number of specific breathing techniques and exercises. Each of these exercises has a certain effect. Some of the techniques are used to probe the breathing mechanism for breathing flaws, inhibiting patterns, etc. Some are used to trigger relaxation. Some are used to activate, control or direct vital energy, and some to awaken, expand, or refine internal awareness.

2. The Atmosphere

The environment (physical as well as emotional) in which the techniques are learned and practiced is also crucial to success. Obviously, results will differ depending on whether one is in a comfortable setting with gentle loving people, versus a hostile crowd, or an uncomfortable space.

3. The Teacher

Water only rises to its own level. It is easier to learn parachuting when you are with someone who has jumped from a plane many times and loves it, versus someone who is more afraid and less experienced than you. And, there is something to be said about the initiation experience, where something is directly passed on from one person to another.

4. The Mind of the Breather

Your beliefs, attitudes, expectations, etc. will directly influence the effects and the outcome of the breathing practice. Your purpose, your intention, in applying the techniques will to a great extent determine your results.

5. Something Else...

Because it is possible to do the technique wrong, to practice it in the worst possible circumstances, to learn it from a terrible teacher, and do it for all the wrong reasons, yet still something wondrous can occur. This indicates to me that something else is at work here. Perhaps some mystical or magical factor, something like grace.

Initial Breath Therapy Techniques and Exercises

001 BREATH WATCHING (Insight Meditation) The Consciousness Factor

002 ENGAGING THE EXHALE (Relaxation Response) The Release Factor

003 CHARGING THE HEART (Energy Breathing) The Energy Factor

004 Belly Breathing (Diaphragmatic Breathing)

005 Equalizing The Flow (Finding the Valve)

006 Connected Breathing (Circular Rhythm)

007 Quadrant Breathing (4 Corner Exercise)

008 Alternate Nostril Breathing (Pranayama)

009 Reverse Respiration (Chi Kung Exercise)

010 Breathing into the Three Primary Breathing Spaces

011 Two-Phase Breathing (Breath Energy Training)

012 Holding Exercises

013 Breath Sounds

014 Personal Practice/Advanced Techniques