THE DISCIPLINED BREATH Lila Robinson, Mdiv, Dmin
FEBRUARY 9, 2020 OM SOUL YOGA Omsoulyoga.com
The Discipline of Breath JUS BREATHE
The center of humanistic experience is the breath. It is the one thing that is needed in order for us to be a living unit within the form of life. The breath shapes our lives more than any singular mechanism in our bodies. Breathing is the one element in which human being would cease to exist. There is no time in which the living element of air cannot exist within us. Thinking on this sole thought imagine for just a moment if you were to hold your breath. Your mind begins to race as your system panics from the lack of air flowing through your body. Every cell in your body; the bones, flesh and muscles require the element of air in order to exists. Unfortunately, many of us give little concern to our breath. An automatic force that takes second string to our conscious living. An invisible entity that has such power to transform the clarity of the mind or “citta� and the energetic force that provides an essential mineral to our body. The breath is an uncontainable flow of energy that is infinite. Yet, the breath is measurable. It has space and matter. It vital to our very existence. The breath is the most natural state of on-going meditation in which occurs without any work on our part. Our interaction throughout the day hinders this breath from becoming a mediational feast that encourages, inspires and uplifts us daily. The breath an instrument of the body moves in and out creating a universal rhythmic pattern of life as it connects to the divine like no other system in the body. The asana becomes and is the breath. Becoming aware of the breath daily enhances our ability to connect in a mystical manner to the universal creator. The manner of awareness in our breath opens up the channels of communication between the trifecta of the body, mind and spirit. This powerful trifecta enhances effectiveness of one’s own well-being in all areas.
The Pattern of Breath How do you think of the breath in your body? Where does it move? Take a moment to answer these questions. The rhythmic movement of the breath alludes most of us. When we focus our attention to the breath, we tend to see it as pushing upward and out and downward. The pattern of breath is moved in a spiral form in which the air travels. Your breath expands and expels. There is a miniature tornado that is responsible for the life force within your body. Depending on your state of being the flow of breath can rapidly change. Think about how your emotions impact how you breath. When our breathing changes so does the shape and pattern of breath change. Yes, there is a shape to our breath. The spiral pattern mentioned above. The breath has a form. Air is gases within the body. Think about blowing that air into a balloon. At that moment you can visualize the shape of your breath. Your breath takes up space within the container of your physical body including the
organs. Every portion of your breath takes a form based upon the container meaning the organ, muscle, bone and skin that depend upon this pattern to survive. Take a moment to experiment and feel the shape and pattern of your breath. Take a moment to lie down on your back as though you were getting ready for bed. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Where do you feel the air moving through your body the strongest? Now move your upper hand to your throat area. Do you feel breath here? Take a moment; to visualize your breath. Take note as to colors; shape and pattern of flow in which your breath has taken in your body. What does your breath sound like? Learning to become aware of your pattern of breath as it relates to the time of day, environment and interactions is essential to your well-being. Your breathing pattern changes; it constricts, becomes labored, enlongated, shortened or rushed. All of these patterns of breath are based upon your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual state of being. How well you breath is a good indicator of what state of well-being you are currently operating in your body. Understanding the pattern and flow of your breath as well as awareness of your own breath shape can aid you in taking care of your body effectively.
Terminology of Breath The breath known in Sanskrit as “prana” and the African or Kemetic terminology is known as “Ankh” or “Ka” in Chinese it is known as “Qi” or Chee. Sanskrit – Prana pronounced “PRAH- NAH” Kemetic- Ankh “AH-KAA” or KA “KAAH” Pranayama- (Sanksrit) prana means “life or life force” and yama or yamas means “control” essentially the word is formed together is the control of the life force. KA- (Kemetic) meaning “vital life force.” Asem- (Afrikaan)/(Kemetic) pronounced “AH-SIM” breath sounds like “AWE-SEAM” Of course, there are many more terminologies related to the breath. However at the core are these three that has been most related to the sacred breath and have been for thousands of years. One in particular that is of note is the sound of the breath from the sacred instrument of the body. The sacred sound of “OM.” This
particular sound give not only shape but also, sound to the breath. At present, there are “7” sounds of the body that unlocks several energetic levels. We will discuss that in more detail in our book on Chakras.
How we structure the terminology of breath has a direct impact on one’s perception as well as their discipline on the breath. I struggle with the discipline of the breath. I couldn’t wrap myself around the various terminology that was used for the breath. In particular was “prana.” It seemed foreign to me. I had no real understanding nor awareness of this sacred tool stored within my body, the temple of my being. Once, I began to take ownership in quantifying my breath with a term in which I could relate to the breath became my asana. Simply stated, it was the key to the gateway of my worship with the divine in my life. I learned that the word “Ka” resonated with me. There, I found my sacred sound, that gave purpose and meaning to my breath. As I became more aware of the connection of the universal sound “KA” and “OM” there was a connection in which I found that made the scales on my eyes fall off. The spiritual world became a reality, accessible. I had heard the bible speak of the breath of life, the Kabballah, the Q’uran and many other sacred texts. All of which speak to the asana of meditation and breath. However, many of us have not made the connection to this powerful terminology that is related to the breath. The term “Ka” as noted earlier means “vital life force.” Your breath is vital to your life force in which control of this life force is essential “pranayama.” Forming the terminology for your breath will open up the door for you to be able to become more aware and attuned to your breath. The terminology you place on your breath will allow you to begin to transition into the practice of meditation through breath, physical asanas or movements and spiritual energetics to enhance your well-being.
Control of the Breath Have you ever felt out of control of your well-being? How much control do you have over your emotions? Your body? Do you find your mood influenced by your interactions throughout the day? How does that impact your eating choices? How does your body feel at that moment? Your reactions and interaction are directly related to your breathing. How your body responds is interlaced with your body systems health. I became very aware of the connection between my breath, body and emotions one day at my workplace. I had become so upset. Many factors had played into that day. I was tired, my work was not fulfilling at that moment. I felt cheated. My reaction, my breath pattern changed. This simple system of the breath began to tighten in my chest, it stopped moving effectively within and through my body. Suddenly, I wasn’t able to move my body off the chair in my office. My back had frozen, my shoulders unmovable, my neck tightened like a wrench on a pipe. Confused as to what was happening to my body. That was my introduction to something had to change. I was going to die or destroy my body as well as my mind. The vital life force that is essential to my well-being began to have long-term effects on my body. Until that day, I never had any real physical issues that I would connect to my breath. I had begun to suffer from arthritis, headaches and stiffness throughout my body. As, I began to look back, my battle with asthma which began in my late 20’s and early 30’s all was connected. The vital life force in my being had been compromised. The elements of stress, breath and mind all impacted and compromised my own well-being. Most of us never consider control of the breath as an important function of the body. In fact, we take it for granted.
Health and Breath Your health correlates to your breath. We never consider the breath as a vital part of our health. We look at our diet, fitness and diseases as separate from our health. The reality is how you breath is important. The breath provides oxygen to all areas of your body. This oxygen energizes those portions of our body. The breath also expels carbon dioxide gases from the body which are toxic but essential to our internal body. Diseases and breath go hand in hand. Think about when your body is tense. You can feel it in the upper abdominal muscle region. When this tension sets in to that area; you may begin to have gastrointestinal issues. Autoimmune
diseases are heavily impacted by your breath. Diseases such as asthma, arthritis, upper back, clavicle, neck and shoulders are main areas in which are noticeable in our body where breath is stagnated, short and labored. How the breath moves in your body can give you a temperature of the state of your wellness. Take time to breath; a controlled and focused breath that is purposeful provide immeasurable results. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, addiction and other common ailments can be improved by simply learning to control the breath. Obesity, weight loss and diseases such as over-eating, anorexia, drugs, bulimia and other diseases are all that can be overcome by including breathing as part of a daily practice. How? Breathing provides a pathway to clearing the weeds, removing negative energies and blockages that prevent us from living. It opens the door for us to experience life rather than life experimenting on us.
Sleep & Breath Most of us have been familiarized with the correlation between breath and sleep. The pattern of sleep is known as a suspended state of consciousness. This is a daily state of restful inactivity. In yoga, we have termed this constructive or intentional rest. This type of intentional and constructive rest allows our bodies time to reconstruct itself, heal and re-energize. This type of rest allows your body time to decompress from external and internal stimulations. Have you ever sat and talk to someone who finds it very difficult to sit in stillness. That person continues to move something. Have you ever been awaken out of your sleep because a part of your body jerked causing your to jump up. Interrupted sleep impacts our breathing and breathing influences our sleep pattern. The decrease in external and internal stimulation opens up the neurons to rejuvenate the entire body. Breathing impacts positive and negative neurons. Before you go to bed each night; spend about 1015 minutes in deep breathing. You will find yourself be able to function at optimal levels throughout your day.
Breath and Self Knowing who you are when no one is looking, becoming aware of the deepest characteristics of your innate spirit is a part of control and awareness of your breath. The breath allows us to become attuned to our inner being, the hidden self that has an influence on how we make decisions. Awareness of the breath enhances our connection to self-care. The breath is like an instructor or internal guide to your authentic self. The success of who we are, what type of legacy we will leave as well as how we formulate ideas, businesses and creativity to produce and stimulate our dreams are all connected. Emotional stability, confidence, creativity and inspiration all come when we know ourselves implicitly. Getting in tune with our breath allows us to overcome fear of failure, to step out and live. Learning to control and breath allows us to know thyself and heal thyself. When we combine these two words; Heal-Thy self the Healthy Self. Connecting with your true self is inspiring. It is a feeling in which can invoke powerful emotions. This is due to having and discovering your true self, to becoming whole from within. This will impact your overall self-image. The breath and self are
Breath and Movement Breath and movement have been incorporated into every aspect of the creative forms of art. Today, when we here the term breath, it is too often associated with yoga. The emphasis on breath during movement is relevant in a small arena of the performance arts such as dance, singing and theatre. Movement is a integral part of enhancing our practice in respect to dance and fitness. We have to pay attention to the breath during any type of movement including walking, weight-lifting and working. Anytime we are moving it is an opportunity to become conscious of our breath and check in with that on regular basis.
Breath and Trauma No matter what type of traumatic experience we may have encountered in our lives our body keeps a diary. Our breath acts as sort of a marker for those traumatic events. Your body holds those experiences within specific areas of the body. One of those parts of the body that notably holds information is in the upper back between the shoulder blades. This area expels trauma through respiratory and gastrointestinal area of the body. Another known area are the joints which may express itself through arthritic episodes, headaches are another expression. The lower back and hip region are also very common. Learning to control through breath as well as directing the flow of breath to various regions of the body can assist in allowing trauma to exit the muscles allowing the stress placed upon various areas that carry trauma to release. This is not the only method, however it can aid in assisting with traumatic events in which have been stored in the body.
The breath has many benefits that correlate directly to the body, mind and spirit. Learning to control your breath along with nutrition, movement and energetics you can transform your life.
Types of Breathing
Pranayama as we stated earlier means the control of the life breath. Pranayama allows you to control your breath as you move through the asanas through various positions in which the body forms. The breath deepens the movement as you inhale and exhale. 1. Sit with your legs outstretched in front of you. Place a bolster, large pillow or blanket behind your back and lie back. Next, place a pillow behind your head. Allow yourself to get comfortable in this position. Feel your body in this space. 2. Begin breathing- Take Long, slow deep breaths. Do this between 10-15 times. Don’t worry about thoughts that are running through your mind. Allow them to come and go. Give yourself permission to allow these thoughts to travel through. Don’t judge them or try to answer them. 3. As you inhale through your nostril slowly, exhale through the mouth. The first few times you attempt this allow yourself to hear the breath being expelled through your mouth. Ujjayi known as the warrior or ocean breath is done through the nose. The inhale and exhale are equal in its paring of breathing. Breath in through your nostril and exhale through the mouth. Be conscious of your breath whether seated or through asanas “movements.”
Nadi Shodhana Closing the right nostril with the thumb and the left nostril with the right index finger. Begin breathing using alternating nostrils. For example, 5 breaths in through the left nostril; close the left nostril with your index finger by lifting the right thumb from the nostril exhale for 5 breaths
Sama Vritta meaning equal breath. In sama vritta inhale for a specified number of counts 3,5,7 and exhale for 3,5,7. Breathing through the nostrils unrestricted. The breath is equal in count as you inhale and exhale.
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Lila Robinson is the author of several books on spiritual living and wellness lifestyle. Hosted a successful podcast that aired for seven years and was one of the first to take what was known as cinchcast in the early days and began broadcasting. Later her work developed into a powerful broadcast network “Spiritalive Network.” She is the founder of Faith Behind Bars and Beyond, Sisters on Fire, Rahab outreach for women. She later evolved as the editor and chief of Spirit Alive Magazine. As a speaker, host and entrepreneur she has been involved in transformational living, health, wellness and performance arts for over 20 years. She is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. A member of BYTA “Black Yoga Teacher’s Alliance.” An ACE Certified Trainer, Singing Bowl Healing Project. She is also the founder of Moonlight Dance Theatre and Om Soul Yoga and Wellness Center. Dr. Robinson continues to evolve. Her desire to uplift, transform and empower her community has been the motivation behind her pursuit in Living Well Beyond.
For speaking engagements, booking and press packages inquiries Send all request to : omsoul2soul@gmail.com Written Requests: 3180 Railroad Street N.E. Charleston, TN 37310
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