Breath is the link that stands midway between the grosser material body and the more subtle realm of the mind. Breathing is more than simply an obstacle to be conquered before reaching the mind. Its proper use is a key to mastering the mind and passing beyond it into other realms of consciousness. Breathing techniques have always been an integral part of meditation training in the East.
The fundamental relationship between breath and ‘spirit’ is reflected in most languages by ‘expiration’ and ‘inspiration’. The latter not meaning only to inhale, but to become filled with creative energy of spirit (inspired), The word ‘expiration’ denotes death, or loss of life-energy as well as ‘exhalation’. The breath begins at a strategic point in development. The first great adaptation to outside world made by the newborn is his initial gasp for air. The beginning of respiration transforms the dynamics of the circulatory system and gears the infant’s physiology to its new environment.
Breathing is the only physiological function which is both voluntary and involuntary. We can control it consciously or we can ignore it and allow it to run more or less automatically as do other internal processes. It can be regulated by the mind or left to the body. In this sense, then, breathing is a strategic intermediary between mind and body. It is not controlled by either of them exclusively, but is subject to influence from both of them. And it can, in turn, affect them both. Breathing is the key to the interaction of body and mind.
Breath: The Tide of Life
The rhythm of the breath is one of the most obvious indications of a person’s emotional and mental state. When relaxed the breathing reflects an emotional calm and indicates a state where the attention can be focused. Disruptions of breath generally are associated with emotional or mental disturbances where the mind is randomly influenced by fleeting emotions and thoughts, it is not calm and this is reflected in the breathing. This suggests learning to consciously and deliberately regulating the breath is a key to mastery of both emotions and the mind. By learning to breathe gently, smoothly and without irregularities, students of meditation are able to reduce distracting thoughts and achieve heightened concentration.
Breath and Relaxation
Training in various patterns of breathing is one of the most important aspects of yoga discipline. According to traditional yoga psychology, the breath not only influences the body and the mind but can serve as a powerful instrument for inducing higher states of consciousness.
The full use of the diaphragm achieved by slow, even and deep breathing. It leads to relaxation of the chest and other muscles, and hence a calm and relaxed state of mind.
The reason for this is simple: the diaphragm is perfectly located to expand and contract the lungs most efficiently. By using it, a maximum of air exchange can be produced with a minimum of work.
Breath awareness can lead to patients to correct their irregular breathing patters. Als breath awareness has proved to be successful in treatment of hypertension. Deep breathing exercises derived from yoga with systematic muscular relaxation showed a great improvement in patients with anxiety.
Source: Swami Rama, Rudolph Ballentine MD, Swami Ajaya PhD. Yoga & Psychotherapy
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