There are three kind of breathing that you need to be aware of:
- Fools Breath
- Seers Breath
- Warriors Breath
Fools Breath
When a person inhales, the chest rises and the stomach goes in. Most people who are unaware of their breath will usually end up breathing the fools breath. This is also called inverted breathing because when you breathe in normally your stomach/ diaphragm should inflate. During the fools breath, it doesn’t. It is ok to refer to this breathing NOT as a norm but ONLY if one needs to make a decision.
Seers Breath
Great for contemplation, the seers breath has been taught as a meditative practice for centuries. It is very simple. Breathe in and allow your stomach to inflate. Breathe out and the stomach goes in. The Seers breath switches your brain from Beta (conscious) to Alpha (Sub Conscious). Thats why it is great for meditation and contemplation.
Warriors Breath
The warriors breath changes the game. Here the concentration is not on the top of the chest or the stomach. The diaphragm is in ACTIVE play during the warriors breath. In the beginning it is slightly tough to get the warriors breath but practice makes things right. Initial practice: Stand with your feet as wide as your shoulders. Put both your palms on the sides of the rib cage. As you breathe in, visualise LARGENESS and not loudness. Allow your rib cage to expand as you breathe in and allow it to relax as you breathe out. The movement is gentle and powerful. You will start feeling differently once the warriors breath kicks in. Do it 1000 times a day with awareness for 7 days and allow it to kick in naturally.
Because most of us usually use the Fool’s breath, unknowingly, and the seer’s breath as a respite, the warrior’s breath becomes a tad difficult. And that’s why it needs to be practiced with Awareness.
Breathe away!
Vikram Badhwar, CEO, Syngrity, is a communications coach, an experiential educator, and an artist trying to bridge the gap between the creative and the analytical side of our brain. He consults individuals and teams in the space of learning & development to enable transformations at a personal, professional and organizational level.
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