Breathing is something people take for granted. With the possible exception of brief periods of meditation when it is common to observe the breath, most people do not think about breathing. But breathing exercises have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Even if you only use breathing exercise for relaxation, these exercises will have a positive impact on your life.
Bellows Breath
Bellows breath is an abdominal breathing exercise for letting go of stress and for rejuvenation. If you're not familiar with diaphragmatic breathing, or abdominal breathing, this exercise may take some practice before you can do it successfully. To begin the exercise, sit up straight in a chair or cross-legged on the the floor. Quickly squeeze your abs to force air out of your nostrils. Allow your abdomen to refill naturally with air. Continue for 22 breaths. Work up to three sets with a deep breath in between.
Nine Count Breath
The nine count breath is a meditative breathing exercise that calms and controls the breath. Using this exercise lowers stress and improves concentration as you get more proficient at focusing solely on your breathing for a specified count. Begin the exercise with a deep inhale for a count of nine. Retain the breath for four counts. Then, exhale for nine counts. Wait for four counts and then repeat the sequence. Think only of your breathing and perform this exercise only as long as you can maintain concentration.
Conscious Connected Breath
People use the conscious connected breath to attain profound transformation and relaxation. It is a continuous breathing exercise with no pauses or holding of the breath. Lie down on your back to practice this exercise. Breathe in through your mouth to fill your chest, not the abdomen. Breathe out immediately once your chest is full of air. Breathe in again the moment you expel all your air. Continue breathing without pause in a continuous loop for 15 minutes.
Self-Healing Meditation
The self-healing meditation is an exercise that uses breathing and visualization to cleanse yourself of disease, illness and negative energy, though it is not for replacing conventional medicine. Begin in a seated position and take 10 deep, abdominal breaths. Concentrate just on the breath. Then, think of something that gives you a feeling of love and joy. Spend a few minutes with that feeling. This time prepares you for the main part of the exercise. Next, imagine yourself bathed in a beam of white light coming from the sky. The light enters your body through the crown of your head and travels all the way to your feet. Imagine the light shining through all your cells. See yourself completely healthy in the light. Let all negative energy leave through your feet, where it transforms to positive energy. To complete the exercise, ask for healing and offer gratitude.
