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Tools of the Trade
Working with Energy
How to Become a Healer Without Harming Yourself - Part II
 by Catherine M.
With any form of energy work - especially healing - control of one's own energy is paramount. At the root of controlled energy lies controlled breathing. Over previous issues we have touched upon breathing and the basics. This issue I want to devote time to more advanced techniques. Breath control involves posture, muscle tone, focus, open lungs, and lots of fresh oxygenated air.
In our Western society we rarely learn about breathing unless we are fortunate enough to attend an Eastern-based class or read a book. Yet without knowledge of such a basic skill, we can never fully unlock our own inner abilities. Correct breathing triggers physiological responses that help heal and strengthen the body. It also can trigger emotional change through the hormonal response. Just as the hunched shoulders of inner stress can cause many secondary issues such as skeletal problems, headaches, and digestive difficulties, something like shallow breathing that results from fear will lead to secondary "fear-like" bodily responses - coughing, yawning, insomnia, poor sleep and so on. Correcting the breathing forces one to deal with the initial problem - but it can also empower the body making the problem seem smaller and easier to solve.
Western medical science is catching onto this and encouraging patients to seek out Eastern meditation and exercise programmes in an attempt to harness the healthful properties of the breath control techniques these programmes utilise.
It amuses me how ingrained this idea of "breath" is within our society, despite its ignorance of breath control. To be inspired, or feel inspiration, is to draw in powerful creative and spiritual energy. It is also the simple term for breathing in. To expire is to end - and also to breathe out. The concepts are there, just disconnected from the act that shows how integral to our life breath control is.
Simple Exercises to help develop breathe control:
Extension of Inspiration and Expiration
The deepest breath in doesn't fully fill the lungs, not the fullest exhalation. While focusing upon even breaths in and out, breathe in fully and then take 3 more short breaths in. Pause for a moment then exhale in full, followed by 3 more short breaths out and a slight pause. This fully opens the lungs, oxygenates the blood, and empties the lungs.
To avoid hyperventilating, build up slowly. Start with 3 repetitions of this exercise when you arise and before bed. Build up at your own pace to 10 repetitions, 3 times a day.
Compression Exhalation
Many people slump slightly, fail to fully utilise their diaphragm, and underutilise their abdominal muscles in breathing. This exercise forces all the muscles you should be using to work hard. As you breathe out, continue the exhalation, letting your chest drop down and inwards, your anus and pelvic muscles rise up, and your abdomen collapse inwards. Maintain a slow steady exhalation. At the point your body responds with a strong desire to inhale, relax and let your torso unconstrict - the diaphragm will naturally drop pulling in air. This boosts your inner healing energies and increases energy.
As with the above exercise, build up slowly. Start with 5 repetitions of this exercise when you arise and before bed. Build up at your own pace to 15 repetitions, 3 times a day.
Extreme Inhalation
This exercise involves quick inhalation and exhalation through the nose resulting in the abdomen noticeably and quickly expanding and contracting with each breath. To get a feel for it, place your palms aganst your abdomen, breathe in then push inwards, forcing the air back out. Repeat a few times. Now try without using your hands. Your breath should be noisy and rapid. Initially you will feel a little lightheaded - take care not to hyperventilate. The goal is to build up to 2 to 4 cycles of 25 breaths a day, finishing with the Compression Exhalation exercise. Start with 5-10 breaths once or twice a day.
Nostril Cycle Breathing
Interestingly modern neuro-science has recently shown this ancient technique to be very accurate in its goal - it helps balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, enhancing consciousness! If necessary, use a forefinger to hold each nostril closed in turn. Otherwise, use the muscles in your face.
Close one nostril and breath in and out slowly and deeply. Swap nostrils and repeat. This is very beneficial if preparing for deep meditation, relaxation, or concentration. One nostril often seems more closed than the other initially, but continued practice will rectify that.
Start with 10 repetitions per nostril twice a day and build up to 3-4 sessions.
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