Week 2: Breathwork
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A Deeper Dive

Welcome to Week 2 of our “Month of Mindfulness” journey, where we explore the profound practice of Breathwork. In this week’s instalment, we’ll delve deeper into the significance of Breathwork, offer various breathwork techniques, and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to practice it effectively.

Pranayama full meaning is control of life force our breath.

Broken down Prana= life force (breath) and yama (to control).

The breath acts as a bridge to our nervous system and by exploring pranayama practices we can observe how deeply it is connected to the mind.

Breathwork taps into our parasympathetic system known as rets and digest. It is impossible for us to be in a state of fight or flight (sympathetic nervous system) when we are in control of our breath.

Improves our lung capacity and helps to clear one of our most vital organs our lungs.

“When we control our breath, we control our life”.

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Nadi’s mean energy channels. Sodhana meaning purification and cleansing. So, the object of this pranayama is to purify the nervous system and allow optimal flow of prana.

This practice balances the flow of energy between the left and right sides of the body. It is especially beneficial when you need to re-centre yourself and is useful in leading you into meditation.

This video will take you through how to perform alternate nostril breathing.

Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril) breathing:

Bhramari Breath (Bumble bee):

Listening inwardly to the sound of our own breath is deeply restorative. This practice calms the emotions. It relieves anger or anxiety because it reconnects us to the nurturing rhythmic pulsation within our own being.

Regular practice instantly increases our sense of wellbeing.

Used for anxiety, helps memory and concentration, relieves tension in head therefore good for headache sufferers. Can help to decrease anger and irritability.

This video will take you through the steps of Bhramari humming bee breath.

Ujjayi Pranayama is good to use throughout your asana (movement) practice.
Ujjayi means “victorious” or “expanding.”

In this pranayama, the breath is kept high up in the chest, rather than being allowed down into the abdomen. The chest is therefore puffed up, hence the name.

This video helps to break down the inhale and the exhale of Ujjayi breath.

It helps to get focused and build energy.

Relieves insomnia therefore it is great to do just before sleep.

It also helps to decrease your heart rate.

Ujjayi Breath (oceanic):

The Power of Breath

"If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath."

Breath is life’s rhythm, a constant companion that connects us to the present moment. Breathwork is the art of consciously directing and controlling your breath, allowing you to harness its incredible potential for healing and wellbeing. Here’s why breathwork is a cornerstone of mindfulness:

Breathwork Techniques

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Breathwork How To Guide

Here's a step-by-step guide to practicing Breathwork:

Prompts for Breathwork Practice

As you engage in breathwork, consider these prompts to guide your experience:

  • “What does my breath feel like today?”
  • “With each breath, I release tension and find peace.”
  • “As I inhale, I am filled with gratitude; as I exhale, I let go of worry.”

Remember, breathwork is a personal journey, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s about connecting with yourself, finding stillness, and experiencing the benefits of mindfulness. Practice regularly and embrace the peace that breathwork can bring to your life.