“Breathe with the whole body” – Buddha
I generally teach this class online with individuals and groups. It’s designed to introduce you to using your breath to support and deepen your mindfulness. Ultimately, this path will allow you to spend more time in non-dual awareness or “rigpa”. This feels really good and calms the whole system, leading to better overall functioning.
Mindfulness can be defined as “paying attention to the present moment through your 5 senses within a context of curiosity and self-compassion”.
Breathwork includes practices designed to increase your breath volume, regulate the breath, strengthen the diaphragm, and increase your ability to hold your breath. Working with your breath can have consequences in your blood pressure and can cause dizziness. If this is a concern for you, consult your physician before doing these exercises. If you become uncomfortable at any time with your physical symptoms during a class, please stop the exercise at once! If I suggest you do something that seems unwise to you, do not do it!
Your breathing pattern is related to your physiological state of arousal and proper use of the breath can amp you up or calm you down.
Many people have breathing dysfunctions that undermine their well-being. These can include poor coordination, shallow breathing, mouth breathing and unconscious breath-holding.
Shallow breathing and unconscious breath-holding can reduce the oxygen and blood circulation to the brain resulting in mental fuzziness and chatter. Poor breath coordination and diaphragmatic weakness systematically undermines your vitality
Oddly enough, much breathwork is directed at increasing the tolerance for CO2, as high concentrations of CO2 in your system decrease anxiety, promote overall health and increase the absorption and release of oxygen in the red blood cells. When you hold your breath, the impulse to breathe arises due to rising CO2 levels in your blood stream.
Proper breathing is an essential ingredient for creating effortless mindfulness. Even long-term meditators can experience a significant improvement in their meditation through sensible attention to their breath.
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