Breathe

Since the Big Bang, the universe has been in a constant state of evolution, transformation, expansion and flow. The nature of this motion is cyclicle.

Everything moves in cycles, take the rising and setting of the sun, or the seasons, even our breath has a beginning, middle and end.. in fact, the life cycle of birth, existence & death can be applied to everything in the universe, from the stars in the sky, to the very cells that make up all living beings ... All of it flowing from birth to death in the dance, or the pulse of life.

The life force behind our existence, driving it and supporting it is Prana, or Qi (Chi) in Yogic, and other Eastern philosophical frameworks, it could even be called God.

It is a flow of energy animating and motivating life itself to move forward, to reproduce, to reach further, to know more. This life force, or current of energy, is the pulse of the universe and everything in it.. it's heart beat so to speak.

It is undeniable, and inescapable.

Our lungs operate in a way that reflects this pulse, as they expand and contract in the beautiful symbiotic exchange of Oxygen and CO2 between us and the outer world.

Our Lungs are also the vehicle that enables Prana or Qi to enliven us, riding in on the breath, and circulating around the body through the Nadi's or Meridian's - the channels that carry this current of energy within the body.

On a side note, the Chakras are junctions of concentrated Prana and Qi where the Nadi's or Meridian’s meet and/or cross over.. more on the Chakras in a later post.

It's so easy to take our Breath for granted, the silent giver, it is always there no matter what, giving us life, urging us to move, to grow, to love and to play, and, it can be unconscious or conscious.

In Yoga we practice breath control, called Pranayama.. Prana, meaning Life force and ayama meaning to extend, stretch, lengthen.

Through the practice of Pranayama, we learn to control the breath, to lengthen it and slow it down, helping us find more space, and peace by turning inward.

The Rishi's of India (Ancient Yogi's/seers) believed that we were born with a finite amount of breaths that were ours till they ran out and we died... lengthening the breath prolongs it, and as such, gives us more life.

There are many Pranayama techniques, however, just stopping to take a slow deep breath, feeling the chest expand, then allowing a long, slow exhale, is a simple way of honouring and embodying the breath and it's life giving power… this is conscious breathing.

Try this short Pranayama exercise:

Sitting comfortably, close down the eyes and breathe normally for a few cycles.

See if you can bring your awareness to the beginning of the breath, the middle and the end, or top, of the breath..

Now slowly start to count the breath - Inhale - 1,2,3,4,5 - Pause - Exhale - 1,2,3,4,5 - Pause.

Do this 5 times.

Then still counting the inhale for 5 counts and pausing, count the exhale for 6 counts.

Do this 3 times.

Then still counting the inhale for 5 counts and pausing, count the exhale for 7 counts.

Do this 3 times,

Then still counting the inhale for 5 counts and pausing, count the exhale for 8 counts and stay here with this count as long as you feel comfortable.

When you are ready, come back to regular breathing, and sit for 30 secs - 1 min with eyes closed.

Gently notice what you notice without trying to analyse or label anything.

By controlling the breath, and extending the exhale, we have lowered our heart rate, and allowed ourselves to drop in to the Parasympathetic nervous system, where our brains tell our bodies that we are safe, and that everything is OK.. there is nothing to run from, nothing to fight.

We have also connected to the life force that is Prana, or Qi, and we have experienced, even if momentarily, a hint of peace, hopefully gained an idea of what is possible, and felt a glimmer of who we truly are.. we are part of the unified field of Prana, of Life force, of God.. It's all connected, the whole universe, including us.. we are not separate.

So breathe consciously when you can.

Allow life to move with and through you, and always remember you are not alone..

You, me, all of us are connected.. everything in the entire universe is part of the whole.

Love & light

Sheli xx