By: Hettie Basil Lighttower

I enjoyed your lovely replies this past week about our discussion about my inspirational granddaughter and the subject of breath. Thanks for joining in and sharing your experiences as well. Your input allows me to know that my words are not just going into the void never to be seen again.
I mentioned the nitty-gritty of breathwork last week. Here’s what I meant by that. We take breathing for granted. And really, why shouldn’t we. Our heart pumps all day and all night, and our lungs do their thing day in and day out. These are even what we call involuntary processes that our body does without any help from us. We don’t have to think about either one of those things to know they are happening. If we are alive, they are happening. Pretty simple really.
So, why do the folks that do martial arts, yoga, meditation and certain other athletic feats talk about the importance of breathing correctly or mindfully? Tai Chi for instance, is described as meditation in motion. It promotes both mental and physical well being and can be traditional or modern in style. It is said to cultivate and balance your body’s “chi” aka life force energy. As a matter of fact the Brooke County Library currently holds a tai chi class every Monday at 10am I understand. I have been thinking about attending it but have not yet.
Tai chi is a form of martial art and exercise. It has a great focus on the use of air intake aka breath and overall health. You see, when your body realizes that you are relaxed enough to focus on deep rhythmic breathing it activates the parasympathetic part of our nervous system. This action in turn sends signals to the brain that all is well in the environment and there is no danger and so cortisol and adrenaline either one are not needed. It tells the brain that you are safe and healing can begin.
Your brain then puts out the healing chemicals from its natural pharmacy within. You are now in rest and restore mode! You are no longer in emotional overwhelm. Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?
It is simple. Very simple. So,simple. But yet we don’t treat ourselves to this. Why? And honestly we do not have to attend a tai chi class to do this. We can do it anywhere, any time. Maybe we didn’t know about it. Maybe we have been condition by work ethic to go, go, go. Work. Work. Work. Taking a break means your lazy. These messages have been programmed into us by the demands of the world. But there is a completely different viewpoint that promotes our health called breathwork!!!
When we take out time to do breathwork, we give our body permission to rest, and heal. We acknowledge and give thanks to this vehicle we live in and it then can respond in comfortable healing ways instead of being in a state of full throttle and high stress. Breathwork can facilitate improved ability to focus, to have more energy and to even have less pain.
When our breaths are deep and deliberate we can have a better state of mind and body. This is basically what “breathwork” is. It is utilizing our air-intake to its fullest by filling our lungs, engaging our diaphragm and practicing holding the breath for longer intervals than we normally would. This practice increases the oxygen into our bloodstream.
Oxygen heals us and eliminates free-radicals in our cells and bloodstream. It improves circulation. You will look like you are sitting there and doing nothing. But in reality you are doing radical changes in your body which improve your health on all levels. Even your immune system works better with these modalities of intention.
Furthermore, we are specifically connecting our consciousness directly to our body. When this happens the body is more motivated to do its best for us. Yes, there is such a thing as talking to your body and giving it thanks for all it does. As a matter of fact, you can put your hand to your heart and the heart will feel calm and send healing signals to the brain. We have talked about heart coherence before.
Some folks have reminded me that in the Bible it tells us that God himself breathed life into us. And the reason we have breath is because it is the breath of God. So, imagine the air you take deeply in and hold with grace for as long as you can, is actually you taking in God and holding Him there and letting Him do miraculous things within your vessel. It could very well be the very thing we are doing. Be well.
What are your thoughts about all this? Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. Kindness is contagious~*