Breath
Breath is a continuous conversation that takes place between consciousness and the different aspects of body. Physical pains and emotional pressures cause shortening and stiffness of breath. Physical and emotional ease cause a lengthening and softening of breath. And vice versa. Short and stiff breathing will evoke physical stress and summon emotional anxieties. A deep and soft breath – go ahead take one 🙂 – invites physical ease and emotional relaxation.
Breath is unique in this capacity to both carry information to and from consciousness. You can affect the way you breathe. You can learn to deepen, extend, soften and refine your breathing.
This is an invitation to explore and develop your breath and through it to learn to listen to and communicate with your body. The practice is simple and gradual and all you need is a quiet place to sit for a few minutes and your breathing self.
I am resisting the temptation to make promises here about what you may experience and what benefits practice may bestow on you. The truth is I don’t and can’t know. While the breath itself can be specifically and intentionally shaped, the effects it has cannot be shaped, they are too complex and subtle. In a way, that is the magic of breath: it arrives at and touches the places where it is most needed.
Therefore, the best and lasting reason to take up a breathing practice is quite simply curiosity. With that in heart, I invite you to explore your own breath.
Free Live Online Course
This course is made up of 4 lessons:
- The 1st lesson explores correct sitting, a technique for extending the breath and breath counting.
- The 2nd lesson explores the four parts of the breath, breathing ratios and determining breath length which together give the breath specific and intentional structure.
- The 3rd lesson introduces a short sequence of seated movements that help prepare the body for better breathing.
- The 4th and last lesson explores refinement of the breath through a technique that involves nostril control.
The lessons are live (not playback video) and allow for personal interaction. At the end of each lesson, you will have a simple practice that is adapted to your breathing capacity. You can do this practice on your own and it only takes a few minutes to do. You can do your practice every day or even numerous times a day.
You sign up to one lesson at a time and then practice what you’ve learned. You can expect a practice period of at least a week or two (or as long as you need) to allow yourself time to assimilate and get used to the practice. When you feel comfortable and established in what you’ve learned you can sign up for the next lesson. There is no time limit so please take your time.
Each lesson builds upon previous lessons. You cannot skip forward. You are welcome to join a lesson more than once if you need further clarification.
This course is offered in a spirit of Gift.
Choose a Date
To get started simply choose one of the following dates and register to join. The lessons are in small groups of up to 6 people, 40 minutes long and take place using this video conferencing software.
If you don’t find a date that works for you, please check back with this page as additional dates will be added in response to demand.
Times are displayed in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).