Learn How To Breathe
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The learn how to breathe sessions are based on the ancient techniques of the Indian Yoga system pranayama and Traditional Chinese Medicine system Chi ( Qi Gong. )
These practices from these two cultures have been practiced for millennium and are still practiced today to assist with modern day living. To expand the ribs allows you to breathe deeper and longer, this will assist to generate more energy in our daily lives. If you pay attention to your own breathing pattern, are you breathing deeply and slowly, may be not. Most of the time our breathing is shallow without any conscience thought, When we engage in both pranayama and chi gong systems of breathing we are able to activate a momentary pause at the end of both inhalation and exhalation, the pause at the end of the inhale at the same time keeping the chest open, this assists and allows for a greater intake of oxygen and prana / chi. ( our vital energy ) We then exhale slowly maintaining the space that has been created to assimilate the energy and assist to calm the nervous system your body and your mind. Incorporating the practice of chigong we stimulate the lung chi and its meridian pathway as its called in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM ) . In traditional Chinese medicine the Lungs are responsible for what is called defensive Chi. This defensive chi acts as a shield against external pathogens entering the body, therefore to increase your lung chi will greatly assist in the building of a stronger immune system. If you look at the pictures on this page, the first picture represent the technique of alternate nostril breathing that brings balance to the internal pathways called ( nadi ) a term used in yoga for pathway. The second picture shows the stance to be adopted and the focused slow movements of chi gong that will affect the specific organs of the lungs and associated meridians. The third picture is a diagram of the actual chinese meridian and lungs pathway that carry its vital essence chi. When we practice chi gong we stimulate the lungs vitality and its pathway allowing for a increase of this vital energy. With Chi gong a slightly knees bent standing position is adopted that assist to ground you and lengthen your spine. For pranyama either sitting or lying down positions are able to be adopted with the aid of supports ( blankets, bolsters and straps ) that will assist the spine to be long and the chest and rib cage to be open. With these subtle changes of breathing techniques they can have a powerful affect on your nervous system, your mind and your overall well being. It is often immediately noticeable of the effects that these practices can have, often you will feel calmer, your mind will become quite and clear and your body relaxed and strong. We encourage these breathing practices to be undertaken at home as well as participating in a session to gain the true benefits of these ancient tools of well being. |
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