The Magic Of Breath Awareness...The Fourth Limb Of Yoga

Over the past few weeks we have been delving deeper into Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, looking at ways we can implement these ancient teachings into our daily modern lives.Today we investigate pranayama, our breath. The sanskrit word Prana can be translated as life force energy or the breath of life and going even deeper the manifest energy of the entire universe.

When this life force energy in someone is low or not flowing freely, they may feel more lethargic, slow, tired lacking in energy and vital force. It manifests in your physical body as aching, stiffness, soreness and disease. When prana is flowing and in abundance in your body, it is flowing easily effortlessly you feel energetic, filled with joy and healthy mentally, emotionally and physically.

Through the practice of yoga and pranayama prana begins to flow through our bodies and affects our physical, mental and spiritual health in more positive uplifting ways.

One of the foundations of yoga and some traditional ancient healing practices (chinese/indian/shamanism) believe that when there is a mental blockage there is a corresponding physical one and true for the reverse when there is a physical pain or stiffness, there is a corresponding mental or emotional pain or blockage.

The aim with yoga is to release these physical, emotional and mental knots or blockages and reconnect with universal flow which are feelings of love peace and joy, harmonising and integrating body, mind and spirit.

One nourishing and helpful breathing practice is box Breathing or sama vritta pranayama, it is a simple yet powerful tool to help calm your body and mind and even reduce anxiety and depression. It is also a wonderful tool to return the breathing to normal after experiencing a stressful situation.

To experience Box Breathing simply slowly breathe in to the count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 4, slowly breathe out to the count of 4, and pause to the count of 4, before re-starting the cycle again. If you are pregnant have high blood pressure or have eye, ear or lung issues it may be best not to hold your breath however it may be beneficial to simply work on equalising your inhale and exhale, so that your inhale is the same length as your exhale.

Every inhale is a gift from the universe and every exhale an opportunity to release what no longer serves us.

Have a wonderful week, with love,

The NRG CNTR team xx

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