Breathwork
Breathwork is a personal growth and self healing technique developed in the United States in the mid 70’s and now practised in many countries around the world. Because breathing happens automatically in the body it is often taken for granted. In effect breathing is the most important thing we do and while we can live without food for many weeks, water for many days without breathe we are without life in minutes. Deeper breathing oxygenate the body giving us more energy, it expels waste products with 70% of toxins eliminated via the breath. With better breathing our cells work more efficiently and promote aliveness. But is more happening when we breathe than delivering a vital supply of oxygen to the body?
The eastern healing traditions view the body as an energy system and any blockage or disruption to the flow of energy results in disease. When we observe a baby breathing naturally there are no restrictions in the breath either on the inhale or the exhale. Over time as adults our breath becomes restricted for one reason or another disrupting and repressing our natural energetic flow. Rehabilitating the breath involves both the process of regaining the physical ability to breathe naturally and an awareness of the psychological reason why we restricted our breath in the first place.
In a breathwork session the inhale and the exhale are connected in a continuous breathing cycle. When we breathe fully and openly the inhale is as long as the exhale. If the breathing is restricted the length of the inhale and exhale is usually not the same. The release of any restrictions to a full and healthy breath is one of the goals of breathwork and often corresponds to a parallel release of physical, emotional or spiritual limitations that may have held us back for many years or perhaps all our lives.
The way we breathe reveals a lot about our general outlook on life. How much and how freely we breathe reflects how willing we are to face up to the life which is taking place around us. How we exhale shows how willing we are to trust what happens to us and go with the flow of life.
The rise in scientifically based medicine saw the virtual suppression of ancient healing wisdom in the early 20th century. Breathwork has the ability to bridge the gap between east and west, between science and holistic medicine and the ancient and modern cultures. It gives us the opportunity to truly resolve outstanding issues and empower ourselves now in a practical way by taking responsibility for our own healing and the power of our own breath.
The International Breathwork Training Alliance Click here for more information
Related Therapists:
|
