Cadence Of the Breath

With deep breath, the rhythm between inhalation and exhalation is heard and translated into relaxation by the mind. The more one practices with the physical being, the more one can understand how the layers unfold, and how to strengthen concentration, and equip the mind with the tools to overcome tensions, patterns, and habits that have shaped the body over time. Muscular fascia and connective tissue of the body releases tension and blockages that have been stored through physical and emotional experiences.

During the practice, the mind becomes more susceptible to forming new passageways from the body to the brain.

Just the way the brain stores memories from childhood, the muscles store memories particularly of trauma and tension. It is part of our natural decoding and aging process. Therefore, when we rewrite some of the patterns and memories by training ourselves in new, healthy ways, we help ourselves understand our inevitable process towards death, more gracefully and accepting.

Yoga is more than just standing on the head and flipping around a rubber mat.

A very long time ago, humans realized how significant it was to move harmoniously with the things around them. It is always been a part of our survival. Although there is much to be said about the way technology has evolved us, it is now important, more than ever, to become more aware of the body, in a way that it is our vehicle to creating what we want to create in this life.

The movement that occurs in yoga has been used for thousands of years gives humans an opportunity to listen to the language of the body.

There are many ways to make these physical shapes in life. The hundreds of physical yoga postures are simulations, shapes, lines, and poses of human experience. That’s why sometimes practitioners have emotional breakthroughs while in a physical posture. Engaging the breath is the backbone of the practice. When it gets tough, breath deeper, and listen to the way the breath guides the body. Then, translate that to when times get tough in life.

It first appears in understanding the Cadence of the Breath.

The Cadence of the Breath is the rhythm and pause between the inhalation and exhalation. It is the body’s life force, response, and energy throughout every part of the system. Sometimes the breath is quick and tight. Sometimes the breath is slow and deep. Each moment that it carries a different cadence, is an opportunity for us to witness the breath and recognize what is going on in our system.

The best thing you can do for yourself, is STOP and Listen to Your Breath for at least 2 minutes EACH DAY.

With the intensity of life and work, kids and a job, it may seem impossible and insignificant to find two minutes for a practice. The couple of moments, no matter where you are in your day, will bring awareness back to what needs are in the body, whether they be emotional, physical, or mental. The breath is always there to remind us, by the way it feels and the way it sounds. The intrinsic benefits increase every time you do it, and add up as the days go by!

Easy Breath Exercises

1) Wake up early morning and raise your arms up with a deep inhale as high to the sky as you can. And, coordinate your breath with your arms as you bring them down to your sides. Repeat these 3x every morning.

2) Close your eyes, and breath without control. Count up to the top of the inhale, and hold for 4 seconds, then count to the bottom of the exhale and hold for 4 seconds. The counts don’t have to be the same, just witness how long your breath is. Do 4 reps.

3) Inhale as you say to yourself, “Sat”. Exhale, as you say to yourself, “nam.” As you exhale, push out the breath through your noise with a little force. Do this for 21 reps.

Try these and after your week, write in your journal about any possible results. Namaste, EB