The Ancient Art of Breathwork as a Technique for Detox

​Since ancient times in both Western and Eastern traditions, the use of the breath to clear the mind, ease the soul and relax the body has created a multitude of practices.  From the simple and well known “take a deep breath and count to ten,” to the more exotic sounding Kundalini practices like Agni-Prasana or “Breath of Fire,” all of us have found comfort, pause or power by changing the way we breathe.
In all my healing work experience, the one constant I have observed is that becoming aware of our breath, happens naturally as we relax into whatever we are doing or whatever we are experiencing. When we are tense, angry and holding toxic energy, we forget to breathe, but the moment we relax, even slightly…the first thing that happens is; we sigh. With that release we begin to breathe more deeply. This is detox at its simplest, but also its most extraordinary level. The breath not only sustains us, it nurtures us and heals us. Oxygen moves through the body and the mind, igniting areas of the brain that may  have been neglected by shallow breathing. Old patterns or memories that have shaped our lives are presented to us and we have the opportunity to let them go, or to integrate them into our lives in a positive way.
I combine deep and conscious breathing with meditation, giving myself a place for my thoughts to float away. If a thought comes up, I watch it float away like a leaf on the river of the breath. In my Reiki practice, I often find myself unconsciously matching my client’s breathing rhythm and then as I change my own to one that is deeper and fuller they come right along with me! In my Breathwork classes, I have had the opportunity to observe and hold sacred space as “breathers” release everything from laughter or tears to deeper held anger or old fears. No matter how they, or I use the breath, this simple act of connecting more consciously to our inhalations and exhalations, is the first, and in my opinion most important, step in beginning any detox experience!
I encourage everyone, especially those who do not already have a meditation practice, to take a few minutes, twice a day to sit still, breathe deeply and enjoy feelings that follow!