Conscious Breathing

Conscious Breathing has been a part of Yoga and dates back as far as 5,000 years. At the heart of yoga practice are various forms of breathing exercises known as pranayama or breathe control. Prana (vital or life force) circulates in the body, influencing mental and physical health, as well as the quality of our consciousness. If the circulation of life force is blocked due to stress or injury, illness can result. If our life force is weak, we lose our ability to concentrate. We will feel fatigued and lack energy. If it is disturbed, our minds and emotions become disturbed.

The effects of this transformational breath process can be identified on at least four levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

  1. Physically Conscious Breathing reduces stress and releases pain that may be held in the body.
  2. Mentally, it helps us become conscious of beliefs and patterns in our unconscious, which are preventing us from manifesting what we desire.
  3. Emotionally, this breathwork allows us to release and integrate what we have suppressed.
  4. Spiritually, Conscious Breathing awakens our intuitive powers and our awareness of our essential innocence. In other words, we become fully conscious — conscious thinkers, conscious feelers, conscious breathers, and conscious participants in our own life experience.

International Breathwork Foundation