Breath and Love and Inspiration

     Chi is one name for is the "Life Force" of all living things, and it is representative of all energy within the universe.
     Chi is a concept of traditional Chinese culture that has taken a foothold in Western society. Most often it is translated as “air” or “breath”.
     In this context, breath is Spiritual energy, and part of everything that exists.
     Our physical body does not function unless we are breathing. Breath and life are intertwined in the cry of a newborn. The last breath empties out the presence of a person when they leave the physical body.
     In my work as a labyrinth facilitator I often speak of the Greek myth of Theseus who found triumph at the centre of the labyrinth on the island of Crete. Ariadne kept Theseus safe by giving him a thread which connected him to her hand; her location outside the labyrinth; and her love.
     I think of breath as that thread which accompanies us on the path we take through life. We are connected to that place whence we came. As we travel like Theseus: walking a circuitous path and overcoming difficulties, we are linked to safety and to Love. When we have completed our time here, we return to that unconditional Love.
     Within our bodies, there are ways to make the most of breathing. Breath brings oxygen into our body, and oxygen is necessary for the health of each and every cell. When we adopt a conscious breathing practice, we partner with our physical self to promote bodily health and harmony.
     Within our bodies, there are ways to make the most of breathing. Breath brings oxygen into our body, and oxygen is necessary for the health of each and every cell. When we adopt a conscious breathing practice, we partner with our physical self to promote bodily health and harmony.

Five Ways to Practice Conscious Breathing (adapted from Dennis Lewis)

•    Inhale and exhale through your nose whenever possible.
'Remember: always try to breathe through your nostrils, and not through your mouth, because air must contact the olfactory nerves to stimulate your brain and put it into its natural rhythm. If you don't breathe through your nose, in a sense you're only half alive.' Robert C. Fulford, D.O.
•    Sense your weight being supported by the earth as often as you can.
My teacher Dennis Lewis is the author of many breath-related works, most recently Breathe Into Being: Awakening to Who You Really Are (Quest Books, 2009). He writes “It is a relaxed, grounded body, not a tense, controlling mind, that knows how to breathe. Let go.” When we can exhale ‘through’ our muscular tension, then a physical calm becomes apparent.
•    Keep your shoulders down. When they rise up you can be sure you are breathing mainly in your upper chest.
To fully inflate the lungs, we must deliberately inhale deeply. Try this three part breath: Place a hand on your belly, and breathe with the intention that as your lungs and abdomen expand, your hand will be pushed forward. When the lower belly is full, continue inhaling and let the ribs swell with the incoming breath. Finally inflate the upper chest. When you cannot inhale any more, release your exhalation slowly, and keep your shoulders down.
•    Let your arms hang freely. Sense their weight
This is another way of releasing the physical tension that can overtake us when we are busily moving through our day. By shifting your attention into your arms, and noticing how they are moving and feeling, you can exhale the muscular contractions and clear the way for the free and fluid movement of Chi throughout your limbs.
•    When your hands aren't doing anything, keep them relaxed. When they are occupied, use only the tension you actually need.
The artist Le Nhoung wrote “Our hands are the vehicles of Spirit. When we use them consciously they become the channels of Divine Love.” Hands used unconsciously can retain the tautness of activities that have been completed. Imagine your breath being released through the palms of your hands. Flex your fingers and wrists, then allow them to relax. When you become aware that you have clenched your hands into fists, take a second to exhale and allow the hand muscles to slacken and become channels of Love.

     Our Breath, our Chi, our Spirit supports every moment of our life. Connecting with it, being aware of it and grateful for it, expands our experience of the body we live so miraculously inside.
     Respiration, breath, indicates the presence of Spirit within us. When Spirit resides, we are inspired. Each breath offers us the Love of our Spiritual home. While we are here in the physical plane we can choose to share that Love with the people we meet.
 
     If you are ready to deepen your Spiritual connexion, this is a great time to partner with your body and breath.
The workshops Breathing for Adult Beginners and Don’t Hold Your Breath are being offered in Masham in 2014.
You can get more information by emailing branjo@auracom.com

     Jo Leath has been supporting clients through change and growth since the 1980s.
     For a consultation, in person or by Skype click here
     For a free printable labyrinth click here