the Pause Between Two Breaths breath
The power of the breath to release your creative self
The power of the breath to release your creative self
Note * - Do not attempt this breath until you have mastered the earlier ones. If, while doing it, you feel faint or disoriented, stop, lie down, and breathe normally. Pregnant women should not do this exercise.
To begin, sit in a comfortable cross-legged position or in a chair. Lengthen your spine and feel the crown of your head extending up toward the sky. Relax your shoulders, close your eyes, and take a few moments to observe your breath.
Start to draw out and deepen your breathing; try to make the inhalation and exhalation smooth and of equal length.
Inhale fully, and then pause and retain your breath for as long as is comfortable. As you hold the breath, draw in your pelvic floor and navel point and drop your chin towards your chest to lengthen through the back of your neck. Keep your breastbone lifted.
When you need to release the breath, let your chin float back up and exhale completely.
Continue in the same vein: inhale fully; draw in your pelvic floor and navel point and drop your chin during the pause; and then exhale all the way, letting your chin float back up.
During each pause, see if you can hold it a little longer than the time before, engaging your pelvic floor and belly and letting your chin drop down and your breastbone lift up to meet it.
Notice the space that is created in the pause and imagine yourself diving into that space. It is there that you can connect with your creativity. Don’t try too hard. Just be receptive and open.
Inhale fully, and then pause to retain your breath. Draw in your pelvic floor and belly and drop your chin towards your chest. Keep your breastbone lifted. Exhale completely and let your chin float back up. Continue practicing for 15 - 30 breaths.
To end this session, return to normal breathing while keeping your eyes closed. When you feel ready, open your eyes. As you practice the Pause Between Two Breaths breath this month ask yourself:
Start to draw out and deepen your breathing; try to make the inhalation and exhalation smooth and of equal length.
Inhale fully, and then pause and retain your breath for as long as is comfortable. As you hold the breath, draw in your pelvic floor and navel point and drop your chin towards your chest to lengthen through the back of your neck. Keep your breastbone lifted.
When you need to release the breath, let your chin float back up and exhale completely.
Continue in the same vein: inhale fully; draw in your pelvic floor and navel point and drop your chin during the pause; and then exhale all the way, letting your chin float back up.
During each pause, see if you can hold it a little longer than the time before, engaging your pelvic floor and belly and letting your chin drop down and your breastbone lift up to meet it.
Notice the space that is created in the pause and imagine yourself diving into that space. It is there that you can connect with your creativity. Don’t try too hard. Just be receptive and open.
Inhale fully, and then pause to retain your breath. Draw in your pelvic floor and belly and drop your chin towards your chest. Keep your breastbone lifted. Exhale completely and let your chin float back up. Continue practicing for 15 - 30 breaths.
To end this session, return to normal breathing while keeping your eyes closed. When you feel ready, open your eyes. As you practice the Pause Between Two Breaths breath this month ask yourself:
What changes in your body/mind/spirit do you notice?
Practice the Pause Between Two Breaths breath for 5-20 minutes as often as you like, especially when you are in need of tapping into your creative genius. You may find it helpful to keep a journal of what you feel like before, during and after each breathing session.
These breathing exercises are highlighted from the book Breathing Space by Katrina Repka and Alan Finger. They are gentle and safe, but please check in with yourself and follow your own intuition before doing them.
Want support in developing your breathing practice? Join me for my monthly breathing circle on Zoom to share what you experience with each breath.
Want support in developing your breathing practice? Join me for my monthly breathing circle on Zoom to share what you experience with each breath.
Namaste.
“The light in me bows to the light in you.”
“The light in me bows to the light in you.”