A few months back, my friend Kristen and I went to a Transformational Breath workshop. Truthfully, I had no idea what we had signed up for, but I thought the guides may teach some good breathing techniques to help when life throws a curveball and since I love learning about new healing modalities, I was on board.
The experience that day was astounding. I learned that we only use about 30% of our breath capacity on any given day. I learned that our breath has amazing power… much more than we realize. Through this particular breathing technique that we practiced, my body felt totally cleansed when we were through.
I think back to that day often. I notice I breathe deep more often. I downloaded 100 Breaths to Joy and at times, practice this 5-minute guided breathwork.
I’d say we take our breathing for granted. We don’t think about it much until we are winded. But, the choice we have is to tune into it. To become conscious of our breath. To mindfully breathe in goodness and mindfully breathe out love.
You know, when smoking was all the rage, people would often take 15 minutes on a regular basis to go “have a smoke”. Essentially, they were breathing deep for 5 to 10 minutes (toxins mind you, but still…). Imagine if you gave yourself a “breath” break… a break to breathe deep the outside air for 5 to 10 minutes several times throughout the day. How could this NOT be a life-altering practice?
Below, I’m recapping the seven breath prayers I’ve covered over the last few weeks. Each breath matches one of the seven-energy centers (chakras) of the body. I hope to encourage you this day to get outside and take your “breath” break:
Root Chakra
Location: Base of Spine
This chakra may be blocked if you are
feeling bogged down, disconnected, lack of security
Belonging Breath Prayer:
(Inhale): I am rooted in love.
(Exhale): I belong to the whole.
Sacral Chakra
Location: Below the belly button
This chakra may be blocked if
you are shut down to passion, issues with
(sexual and emotional) intimacy, low self-image
Creativity Breath Prayer:
(Inhale) I am passionate.
(Exhale): I am creative.
Solar Plexus Chakra
Location: Above the belly button
This chakra may be blocked if
you feel powerless to your circumstances/victimhood,
you give your power away to others to “keep the peace”
Power Breath Prayer:
(Inhale) I have strength.
(Exhale) I have power.
Heart Chakra
Location: Center of chest
This chakra may be blocked if
you have trouble giving/receiving love, you hold grudges
you’ve been hurt and have closed yourself off
Loving Breath Prayer:
(Inhale) I receive love.
(Exhale) I give love.
Throat Chakra
Location: Hollow of Throat
This chakra may be blocked if
you struggle to speak up and have an opinion,
you go along to keep the peace
Voice Breath Prayer
(Inhale) I know hope.
(Exhale) I speak hope.
Third Eye Chakra
Location: Between the eyebrows
This chakra may be blocked if
you are disconnected to your intuition
and spiritual path in life
Vision Breath Prayer:
(Inhale) I sense the visible.
(Exhale) I sense the invisible.
Crown Chakra
Location: Top of Head
This chakra may be blocked if
you feel no connection to the Divine,
you are attached to material possessions and achievement
Breath Prayer
(Inhale) Open me to divine love
(Exhale) Open me to mindfulness
There are many amazing resources online for opening the energy centers
of your body. Just Google! Breathwork, meditation, yoga and essential oils are all aids to help your body find a natural rhythm. I pray you tune in this day to the wisdom your body has for you and take one step to nourish it.