Relaxation Articles

 

Breathe Away Blocks and Clear a Path to Joy
By Susie and Otto Collins

Did you know that you can release past memories, limiting
beliefs and even toxins using something we already do
automatically? Breathing is not only essential to keeping
our bodies functioning, it is also a wonderful way to let go
of emotional blocks. We don't usually think about how we're
breathing unless the air flow is somehow constricted. This
might be due to a medical condition like asthma or when
we're experiencing trauma and stress. Probably every one of
us has been in that uncomfortable state where we're so tight
it's almost like we're holding our breath. Sometimes, in
fact, we do just that.

Breathwork is a therapeutic technique that can actually
allow you to release whatever is holding you back from the
happy and connected life you want to live. While a visit to
a psychologist, counselor or coach may involve analyzing and
talking about the conditions you are experiencing,
breathwork participants are encouraged to focus on breathing
and allowing energy to move through them as it needs to.
Trained breathwork practitioners offer private and group
sessions leading breathers through the process often
augmenting the breathwork with reiki or intuitive healing.

It's all about the breath.
Even though we all breathe, there are so many ways to do it!
Take a moment and notice how you are breathing right now. If
you've had a relaxing day where all has gone well, your
breath is probably moving easily through your body. Perhaps
it is entering gently through your nose and traveling down
deep into your diaphragm with little or no attention needed.
On the other hand, if sitting in traffic, hounding your kids
about their homework, or a disagreement with a friend have
popped into your day, your breath is probably shallower
seeming to only go into your tight shoulders and chest.
Tapping into how you breathe throughout the day can help you
more easily relax.

You may practice yoga or meditation. These are both great
for your mind, body and spirit. Yoga and meditation students
are usually taught to breathe in and out through the nose
allowing the breath to travel deeply into the abdomen. The
breath pattern in a breathwork session is a bit different.
To encourage a lot of air to move in and out of the body,
participants are asked to inhale and exhale through the
mouth keeping the in and out breaths continuously flowing.
This could be similar to how you might breathe when taking a
very brisk walk.

Go with the flow.
This continuous inhalation and exhalation through the mouth
is often coupled with free body movements in the initial
part of a breathwork session. Upbeat drumming music can
really help participants allow the process. Once energy is
moving vigorously, breathers will lie down on mats and
continue the same breath pattern. This continues for as long
as the session does-- possibly 2 hours. Breathwork experiences
are different for every person and vary from session to
session. It all depends on what's tied up within you or
where you are emotionally at the time. Some people cry
during breathwork. Others laugh or shout or even growl. The
focus remains on the breathing and on letting the energy
move how it needs to move.

Breathwork is not about re-living the specifics of past
events or thinking through the big decisions looming in your
life. Instead, it is about surrendering to the natural
unwinding releasing, and healing that can happen for each of
us when we allow it. In a breathwork session you might come
up against sensations of resistance you didn't even know
were there. You might also experience a lightness and sense
of peace and love you don't normally give yourself
permission to feel. Chances are you will encounter all of
these and more. Contact your local wellness or yoga center
to see if they offer breathwork workshops. After all,
breathing doesn't just keep you alive; it can help you live
the joyful life you've always wanted!
 

*For more information on this topic from breathwork facilitators
Christopher and Paula Easton visit http://www.breatheinandbeyond.com

 

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Susie and Otto Collins are Relationship Coaches and authors of 4 books on relationships and personal growth. To get their FREE weekly newsletter filled with practical tips and ideas for creating more connected, passionate and alive relationships
visit their web site at http://www.RelationshipGold.com

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