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Conscious Breath:
Awakening and Cultivating
Life's Ecstatic Potential
Take
a moment… close your eyes… and breathe — with long,
full inhalations and steady, smooth exhalations. Do this for a while,
at least five or six breaths, and then allow yourself to become very
still, softening your body. Now, focus your attention somewhere in
your body, take a few more breaths, and visualize those breaths traveling
to and filling that part of your body — noticing any types of
sensations such as tingling, flowing, aliveness, fullness, etc. See
if you can let these subtle sensations expand and spread throughout
your body.
What
are those sensations? It is your prana. Your life force. In other
systems, known as Chi, Ki, or Qi. Since ancient times, the breath
has been recognized as the key to life and health. In fact, the root
word for breath is also the word for spirit. While unconscious breathing
is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, our breath is readily
available to conscious control, and can therefore provide a vital
link between our conscious mind and our physical and emotional body
— even our deepest spiritual potential.
Conscious
breathing helps connect us with awareness to our inner sensations,
and spread that awareness throughout our bodies. It quiets the mind
by shifting our attention away from outer-world distractions and towards
the life-force energy that is constantly coursing through our bodies.
Plus, conscious breathing not only enhances our relationship with
self, it's also a wonderful way to play and explore with a partner!
Partner
Breathing Exercise
Invite a friend to sit with you, face to face. Close your eyes, and
focus on your breathing, with your mouth slightly open. Inhale and
visualize your breath traveling from the base of your pelvis up an
imaginary hollow flute in the core of your body to your heart. Exhale
and visualize your breath moving from your heart to your base. When
you've established a comfortable rhythm, open your eyes, and continue
mouth breathing as you look into each other's eyes.
Allow
your breath to harmonize with your partner's. Now, you are both inhaling
together, and exhaling together. Take your time. Allow your breaths
to become long and leisurely. Remember to maintain eye contact, and
communicate to find a comfortable rhythm. Be playful and creative.
You can use your hands to trace the path of your breath, moving from
the pelvis to the heart, and back again. This helps you stay synchronized
and in rhythm with each other. For a variation, try inverting breathing
— one inhales as the other exhales, noticing any differences
in energy or connection.
After
a while, slow your movement, rest your hands on your legs, and allow
your breath to become softer. Close your eyes, and return to stillness.
Draw your awareness inward, and notice the subtle sensations in your
body. Allow these sensations to expand and spread through your body.
Rest there and savor your prana.
Open
your eyes and look deeply into your partner's eyes in silence, connecting
with your breath and inner sensations. Share your experience, then
carry your presence and relaxed aliveness into your day.
Breathe
and enjoy! Namaste.
