Remaining calm in the stressful situations you encounter in your day-to-day life may be a matter of simply stopping to take a breath. Mana breathing methods are intended to allow you to pause and feel relaxed by connecting your inner life energy with your surroundings, explains Ted James from AncientHuna.com.
Background
Mana breathing methods have their root in native Hawaiian culture. "Mana" refers to your life energy, according to James, and is akin to your ki in Aikido or your chi in Taoism. Mana breathing techniques come from a tradition called "Ho'omana," which means to create life force energy.
Effects
The strength of your mana is thought to relate to how empowered you feel. Having strong connections between the mana that exists inside and outside yourself is thought to be key to realizing what you want in your life. In a November 2007 article for "Alternate Perceptions Magazine," Brent Raynes also notes that in Hawaiian folklore, your breath was supposed to convey knowledge. Raynes notes that elders used to pass on their knowledge to their successors by exhaling a "ha" breath into them. A simpler benefit of mana breathing techniques is that pausing and breathing slowly and deeply in stressful situations may help you to stay calm by slowing your body down.
Ha Breathing
In native Hawaiian, "ha" means breath and can refer to the breath of life. Ha breathing is a simple exercise that you can do anytime. Simply stop what you are doing and take in a deep breath through your nose. Then breathe out your mouth while making the sound "ha." The "ha" while you exhale should be whispered loudly and your exhale should take twice as long as your inhale. James recommends practicing ha breathing when you feel overwhelmed by sources of stress such as work or traffic.
The Kahuna Breath
The kahuna breath combines three breathing techniques that Rev. James Wingo claims can help you accumulate mana. You can perform the kahuna breath sitting or standing. Begin by breathing in with your diaphragm so that you feel pressure build in your stomach and your abdomen extends outward. Continue breathing in by filling the middle of your chest with air so that your chest expands outward. Finish inhaling by filling your upper chest with air so that your chest lifts up. Hold the breath for a few seconds. Release the air slowly through your mouth. Hold your chest in place as you exhale and use the muscles in your stomach to slowly push the air out.
