Day 2 - Conscious Breathing

Today’s focus will be on breathing, its importance, how to breath consciously, how to control and regulate your breathing.

Breathing is the symbol of life. Without the first breath, life as we know it will not exist. In Vedism, when Vishnu exhales the material elements and universes come to life, emanating from him. As he inhales the universes are destroyed. As Vishnu breaths, Maya, the world of illusion comes in and out of existence.

Breathing is life, the continuous flow of cycles. In the same way Vishnu breaths, we breath as well, with every breath becoming renewed, having each of our cells revived.

In our everyday life, how much of the time are we really aware of breathing? Mostly when we have trouble doing it, practically when our breathing cycles are out of sync and needs control and regulation. How can we expect to regulate our troubled breathing when most of the time we are unaware of our breathing flow?

Correct breathing takes practice and daily discipline. This will keep your body functions and organs in good shape and your cells healthy and renewing in the right rhythm. Don't believe me, try it!

So much with theory, let’s get to the practice.

Exercise 1: Conscious breathing

Every time you are stressed, out of time, have an aching pain, make an effort and move your focus to your breath. Keep it there for at least 5 minutes.

Just feel your breathing and how every cell of your body is renewed with every breath.

With every inhale repeat: “I accept, I assimilate”.

With every exhale say: “I liberate, I eliminate”.

Exercise 2: Regulatory breathing

Inhale: 4s

Exhale: 4s

Do this for:

• at least 3 minutes in the beginning

• 5 minutes after.

Exercise 3: Regulatory, withholding breathing

Inhale: 4s

Keep the air in: 4s

Exhale: 4s

Do this for:

• at least 3 minutes in the beginning

• 5 minutes after.

Exercise 4: Short controlled breathing

Inhale: 4s

Keep the air in: 8s

Exhale: 4s

Do this for:

• at least 4 minutes in the beginning

• 8 minutes after.

Exercise 5: Long controlled breathing

Inhale: 4s

Keep the air in: 20s

Exhale: 6s

Do this for:

• at least 5 minutes in the beginning

• 10 minutes after.

Exercise 6: Liberating breathing

Inhale: 8s with your Left nostril

Keep the air in: 16s

Exhale: 10s on your Right nostril

Do this for:

• at least 3 minutes in the beginning

• 5 minutes after.

Change nostrils and repeat.

Exercise 7: Energizing breathing

Inhale: 3 - 4s

Exhale rapidly: 3 - 4 times as if blowing your nose.

Repeat for 3 up to 5 minutes.

Try them out, see the ones that go with you the best and integrate this with the meditation practice. (You can read again Day 1 - Healing meditation)

These breathing exercises might give you difficulties in the beginning, which is normal. Keep doing it, taking it easy. Do the exercise even for 1 minute at first if it is very hard and then increase as you get better at it.

Day by day you will find it much easier to regulate and control your breathing in difficult situations. With time, having a congested nose will be a very old, passed memory, your improved health and immune system will be the order of the day, keeping your energy levels up, making you feel revitalized and in good shape.

Go get started!