What is breathwork (AKA Pranayama)?

Ford's Cove

Merriam-Webster defines breathwork as conscious, controlled breathing done especially for relaxation, meditation or therapeutic purposes.

In my experience over the past 25 years with Kundalini yoga, there are about six categories and nearly 100 variations and meditations that focus on the breath. Those categories include rapid breathing, long/ deep breathing, nostril breathing, breathing in strokes, breathing through the tongue, and whistle breathing.  Each breath pattern provides a unique effect to the body, mind and soul.  No two people are exactly alike, and what we need from day to day changes.  So it’s wonderful to have so many techniques to choose from!

A great resource is Praana, Praanee, Praanayam: Exploring the Breath Technology of Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan 2006.  In this book we learn that: “Praana is energy: the spirit of life in us and around us.  Praanee is the one who consumes the praana and lives by its grace. Praanayam is the science of controlling and conserving praana through breath techniques which change the physical, mental and energetic state of our lives”.

August is the eighth month of the year. The number eight represents: Infinity, Balance, Prosperity, and Energy.  The eighth body is our Pranic Body.  It connects us to the Life Force of Infinity and distributes that energy throughout the finite aspects of our being. As we master Praana, we begin to master life and develop the capacity to move beyond Fear.

Come breathe with me Thursday mornings this August at GVST Wellness!

22811 Greater Mack Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080

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