Discover the Breath by Barbara Cline, RN

One can never be fully prepared for any of the experiences we encounter. We can research, study, analyze, explore, investigate - and still never anticipate all the possibilites of what we might come up against. I do believe that we all have some level of adventure or discovery that we seek. At some point, you have to dive in and "get wet"; you have to "do it"; you have to yield to your curiosity.

That's what happened in my encounter with yoga. With some intellectual preparation, I decided to "jump in". The discoveries have been limitless and the adventure enlightening.

One of my biggest discoveries was the "Breath". We start breathing on our own at birth - but even before then, the Breath is vital to our existence. Our mothers are responsible for delivering precious oxygen to our reproducing cells while in utero. Many people have no idea why or how they breathe - our bodies do such a good job of automatically controlling the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide. As a nurse, I studied the physiology of respiration and all it does to maintian our life processes; I analyzed patients' vital signs which included respiratory rate; I explored the severity of respiratory diseases and witnessed their devastation often resulting in death. And yet I didn't fully realize what the Breath was and what impact it had on my well being.

Yoga - Yoga brought me new information about a process so simple and so uncomplicated and yet so vital; vital not only to my physical health, but my mental and spiritual health as well. I had never considered all the ramifications of my Breath. Breathing: a process so simple and so uncomplicated and yet so profound and difficult.

To help understand the impact of the Breath, there are two stories from the book "Breath by Breath - The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation" by Larry Rosenberg which I want to share with you.

The first story is an ancient teaching from India that tells of a conference of all the human faculties (all the senses - six in Indian tradition - 5 senses as we know them plus the mind). The Breath was also in attendance although not a sense. The first decision at the conference was to select who would be in charge. Sight nominated itself first, displaying beautiful images; smell followed with aromas which were pleasing to all; taste was not far behind with delectable flavors from around the world; hearing put in its bid by creating melodious harmonies; touch produced soft, silky materials comforting all those present; then the mind entered with theories of truth and awarenesss which all sought. Much to the surprise of all, the Breath entered its bid. All it could do was breathe in and breath out. Not very impressive compared to the display of the others. A huge argument ensued about which one of them would be selected. Disappointed, the Breath began walking away from the chaos. At once the images dimmed, the aromas disappeared, the melodies faded, the theories proved useless. In unison, the senses began to beg the Breath to stay and take its' proper place as leader of the group.

Sometimes a stronger lesson must be learned. The author of the same book refers to an extreme measure he used with a new meditator who kept approaching him with the chronic complaint that the Breath was so boring. The author finally asked him if he had ever practiced "Brooklyn Yoga". "No", he replied. The author instructed him to close his mouth tight and close off both nostrils with his fingers. After a short time, the practicer let go of his nose and gasped for air. "Was that breath boring?", the author asked.

The Breath can be thought of as a vehicle - a vehicle bringing us prana, the energy needed to sustain life and a vehicle of awareness. One of the many teachings of Buddha is the Anapanasati Sutra. Anapanasati is a Pali word meaning: ana - life energy as it comes in; and apana - the waste expelled. This sutra is the awareness of the entire process. It is based entirely on Breath awareness.

Sixteen contemplations make up the sutra. The first group of four (the first tetrad) is centered on the body. Each tetrad is comprised of 4 contemplations where the Breath is used to ultimately achieve contentment and peacefulness. As an example, the first contemplation of the first tetrad is as follows: While breathing in long, one knows: I breath in long." While breathing out long, one knows: "I breath out long." The first four contemplations bring our attention to the character or attributes of the Breath. Mr. Rosenberg's book outlines the sixteen contemplations and how they are used to develop our mediative mind.

It is this awareness of the Breath, the breathing in and breathing out, that becomes a focus. You no longer take the Breath for granted. Focusing on our breathing, we are focusing on our life force. We are bringing our life energy into balance. Focusing on the Breath enables us to stay in the moment. We don't look toward the next Breath or the future - we don't think about the last Breath or the past. As we practice, the present moment, this Breath, eventually becomes one with the body and the mind.

An awareness of the Breath doesn't mean control. Our breath may be long, deep, full, resulting in calm and relaxation; other times our breath is short, shallow, raspy, resulting in discomfort and agitation. Just take a moment to be aware of your Breath. Don't be critical of it; be aware and notice what effect it has on you. Over time, being aware will help you realize that the Breath has more implications than just the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide. Along with inhaling prana, the life energy, we find the Breath refreshing our well-being, clearing feelings and cleansing thoughts; exhaling apana, the spent energy, we find release of chaos, frustration and despair.

Pranayama - Breath control. And yet another discovery! Our environment here on Sanibel is most beneficial to our breathing. The air we breath from the gulf waters and the ocean breezes is charged with negative ions which help to re-charge our entire system. The negative electrical charges promote health and well-being. Wooded areas do the same as trees absorb carbon dioxide and create negative ions. Negative ions are also present in high concetrations during and after a rainfall. Cities, on the other hand, with their high rate of pollutants, create positive ions which are harmful. Pranayama, the practice of breathing exercises is an integral part of yoga. These exercises increase the prana brought into the body and facilitate elimination of apana. We are lead regularly in pranayam during our yoga practice on Sanibel with Murari.

One more thing to consider - every Breath you take was shared with someone or something else. What a universal thought that is! This same air that we Breath was breathed in by our ancestors, our parents, our children, the animals, your neighbors, those living on another continent. The Breath is an integral part of our life. You can bring its awareness into everything you do. You will find working with the Breath will make you an adventurer, discovering places you have never been.

References: Breath by Breath - The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation by Larry Rosenberg, Shambala, Boston. 1999.
Breathe In Breathe Out by James E Loehr, Ed. D. and Jeffery A MIgdow, TIme Life Books. 1999


Recommended reading: Books by Thich Nhat Hahn
Miracle of Mindfulness
Peace of Every Step - The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
How to Bring Love, Compassion, and Inner Peace