Although much has been written about something as simple as breathing, why is it that this fundamental act is not offered to so many of our patients? At WATO Research, we have found that the sessions offered to patients, delivered in our unique and glowing manner, highlight our group members and encourage them to learn about the very root of illness, food, movement, and most importantly—The Breath.
This humble function of the sympathetic nervous system is often ignored in other healing sessions, which tend to turn into fitness lessons from which our members would not benefit, and I dare say, neither would yours.
Having attended numerous yoga and gym classes whilst studying a variety of holistic therapies, I found many of these systems to fall short of the true meaning of holistic healing. In this article, I will explain the missing piece—The Breath—and perhaps, you too will make more of it, ensuring that your patients do as well.
As a child, I was introduced to the act of breathing in and out, yet this did nothing to heal or allow me to heal, as I had no purpose in doing so.
I ask you now, do you?
Pause for a moment and think with me—take that important breath. Let us start together and see if it has an effect on your life and self-healing, for it is only when you possess that aura and glow that you can offer it to your patients during your sessions.
Take a moment now to feel the fresh air around you. Find that special place where you feel undisturbed—a bench in the park, or a rock by the beach. Make yourself comfortable so that you are ready for the next step. I encourage you to sit still, breathing gently through your nose with no effort, allowing your breath to quietly enter and exit. We are not forced to take deep breaths, so for now, let’s simply have a little dream. In this moment, without allowing anything to disturb you, feel the soft, silken breath gently entering your body. This is the beginning of a new awareness, and though you may think, “I already know this,” you have yet to fully engage with the silk of life as it breathes with you.
Yoga, like many traditional Chinese therapies, is built on breath. So, please take a moment to imagine what your breath looks like. The sense you use to imagine this breath might hold a clue to the root cause of your health issues.
Do you feel the breath as a colour?
If so, what colour is it? Is it a cloud of colour or a stream of powerful light?
Does it stir your other senses?
Perhaps it is a silent stream of natural energy that flows inside your body like a silver liquid, powerful yet fluid, creating a vision that feels real and natural to you.
Who is in control of this—your mind, or the unknown body in which you live?
I suggest you gently push your diaphragm inwards and upwards, expelling the air from your body, but stay with the vision until absolutely no breath remains. Then, allow your belly to expand fully as you draw in a new breath.
Now, who is in control?
You are.
You are the owner of your body, so embrace the breath fully, allowing your lungs to fill to capacity. As you continue to breathe, visualise a beautiful silver thread exploring every part of your being.
Allow your hands to rest on your knees, your thoughts focused solely on this moment. If a vision arises, focus on only what you need in your life right now, for your health and wellbeing. Let the silver thread follow your smile as you recognise its worth, and feel the healing power it brings. As you sit with closed eyes, allow yourself to experience the luxurious self-awareness that comes from deep belly breathing, a practice you control.
As you continue to gently push the diaphragm inwards and release the breath, feel the abundance of air re-entering your body, feeding your cells and nourishing your spirit. In this moment, you are connected to your true self—mind and body in harmony. Float into the atmosphere of your own thoughts, surrounded by a protective aura of love and peace.
When you are ready, return to the present, knowing that you can always reconnect with this sense of peace and control. As you move on with your day, may you carry this breath with you, remembering that true healing comes from within.
This is the essence of the yogic journey, the shamanic experience, the chi of the massage therapist, & all that we do not yet fully understand in the 432 wave of life.
Main – Photo by Havilah Galaxy on Unsplash
