Healing Yourself through Breath

Healing Yourself through Breath

by Lisa Shaw

Breath gives us life. In Sanskrit, that life force prana, is considered the equivalent of “chi” energy or the “ki” in Reiki .. It is the breath of life that permeates our entire being and moves up the spine touching and vitalizing each chakra, healing by its very nature. Various systems concentrate on the breath as a healing agent, from yogic breathing to holotropic breath work (rebirthing) to the science of LaMaze childbirth or rebirthing, which uses a series of uninterrupted breaths to pitch one into an altered state of consciousness which facilitates release.

These modalities, potent as they are, require a master, therapist, or coach to guide you into the healing consciousness, but you can train yourself to tap into your own healing power by simply breathing with intention. You might want to record yourself reading the guided meditation with relaxing music playing in the background to keep your focus uninterrupted.

If you are disciplined, you can silently read along and follow the prompts line by line. Sit comfortably and be aware of all the sensations in your body, where you feel tightness, tension, where you feel heavy. Then take a deep breath through your nose and hold it as long as you can. Release. Notice how you inhaled. Did you feel yourself move upward or pull the breath into your shoulders? If you did, you are actually creating more physical stress, contracting your muscles.

Inhale again, but direct the air to move into our middle chakras so your belly expands outward like a balloon. Watch yourself fill up with the breath of life. Then slowly, through parted lips, release the breath, and notice how your body sinks into a pool of relaxation. Take these breaths 3 times, feeling yourself move deeper into that relaxed state with each exhale. Feel yourself become attuned to this slow, rhythmic breathing. When you inhale again, visualize your breath circulating throughout your entire body as you hold that breath. See every muscle, tendon, organ, cell illuminated by this breath. See it collect all the debris you have accumulated in your internal system. When you exhale, visualize all debris dissipating into the Universe, where it will be transmuted.