Breathwork
Breathing is the most important component of spiritual development. The breath is the main tool you have to access energy and information from the unseen world. There are breaths that cleanse and purge energy, breaths that heat, breaths that cool, and breaths that balance energy. Breathing deeply increases lung capacity, reduces stress, balances energy, improves respiratory function, emotional release and assists with the connection to Spirit.
1. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Abdominal Breathing)
How to Do It:
– Sit or lie down comfortably.
– Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.
– Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise while keeping your chest relatively still.
– Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting your abdomen fall.
2. Box Breathing (Square Breathing)
How to Do It:
– Inhale through your nose for a count of four.
– Hold your breath for a count of four.
– Exhale through your mouth for a count of four.
– Hold your breath for a count of four.
– Repeat the cycle.
3. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)
How to Do It:
– Sit comfortably and close your right nostril with your right thumb.
– Inhale through your left nostril.
– Close your left nostril with your right ring finger and release your right nostril.
– Exhale through your right nostril.
– Inhale through your right nostril, then close it and exhale through your left nostril.
– Repeat the cycle.
4. Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati)
How to Do It:
– Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
– Take a deep breath in and then exhale sharply through your nose while pulling your navel in towards your spine.
– Continue with rapid, forceful exhalations and passive inhalations.
5. Resonant Breathing (Coherent Breathing)
How to Do It:
– Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of five.
– Exhale slowly through your nose for a count of five.
– Maintain a steady, even rhythm.
6. Wim Hof Method
How to Do It:
– Sit or lie down comfortably.
– Take 30-40 deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth in a steady rhythm.
– After the last exhalation, hold your breath as long as possible.
– When you need to breathe, take a deep breath in and hold for 15 seconds before exhaling.
– Repeat the cycle.