What’s the quality of my oxygen? Is it downtown metro-brown, or does its headiness elate my neural pathways? It’s sometimes a weird sight when people pen themselves up inside oxygen-less boxes, hoping to consciously produce quality.
What’s breathing? Breathing keeps us alive…but what’s alive? Alive is the animation of this flesh we inhabit but on an energetic level, how open and flowing are the signatures of our animated energy-systems? Where does that energy come from? In the science of yoga, oxygen’s energized proton is called prana or "life." I’m not speaking of the metro-brown kind, but in prana-depleted areas, one may see more frustrated behaviors in people.
Consider the process of absorbing energized particles of prana-rich oxygen. The direct conduit for oxygen is through the nostrils because above the nasal cavity sits the olefactory bulb. Sprouting from the bottom of the bulb are cilia hairs that exist to pluck up prana-charged energy from our oxygen. The channeling of pure currency flows directly into our central processors, our savoring brains. From our brains the quality of intakes are channeled down into our bellowing lungs and dispersed into the cells of our energetically-charged systems.
Consider the process of absorbing energized particles of prana-rich oxygen. The direct conduit for oxygen is through the nostrils because above the nasal cavity sits the olefactory bulb. Sprouting from the bottom of the bulb are cilia hairs that exist to pluck up prana-charged energy from our oxygen. The channeling of pure currency flows directly into our central processors, our savoring brains. From our brains the quality of intakes are channeled down into our bellowing lungs and dispersed into the cells of our energetically-charged systems.
You might say, “Yeaah…brilliant! I guess that’s why this knob sits in the middle of my face, so that I can do all of that automatically!” Well, that’s a bit of genius, but, many people are not aware of the process when they unconsciously block it. I mean breathing through our nostrils and opening our bodies to receive, not pressing down on our channel. When we slouch, we close it off a little. When we grip in our bodies, we twist off the valve some. If our environment is a sealed office, the quality of our thoughts may seal off with the windows. When we breathe in the fire of scorched air, we are depleted a little as we breathe. When we breathe through our mouth instead of our nose, we fail to absorb the energetic part of the oxygen we breathe in, and that's often what happens in the case of breathlessness, where we don't understand how our inner resources left us in that state.
Did you know that a good many of us retain stale oxygen in the bottom fifth of our lungs, due to shallow breathing habits, which depletes our natural energy and drains our concentration, even renders us sleepy? For concentration to be sharp, one needs the conscious flowing of oxygen to the brain, directly through the olefactory bulb of conscious intake. That practiced awareness of "premium" breathing is a part of conscious living, and the very beginning of yogic attention to breath-energy practices.
For a "re-boot," on one's "stale oxygen retention," try doing an Emptying Breath. There are different methods of cleansing breaths, but in order to empty out that stale-retention of the "bottom fifth" inside your lungs, simply begin by leaning down, hands on your knees for support, with head forward. In this preparatory pose, breathe in fully through your nose for the "cleansing supply of pressurized air," and then "SSSSSS!..." your breath out in a steady stream...(yes, breath-out on the hissing letter "S."), keep going...yes, keep going, I realize your hissing-out breath is starting to be strained, propel ALL of that inner breath out as far and deep as your abdominal muscles are able to squeeze out, and you may find by the end of the emptying, that your abdominals will begin climbing up under your ribs, bringing a concave effect to your belly...but go with it, go all the way until there is absolutely not another "SS!" you have left, being 100% "emptied out"...AND NOW...use those nostrils, pulling oxygen fully back in, through your olefactory bulb, through all three sections of your complete breathing apparatus: lower lobes, mid-section and upper...feeling that "whalloping" refreshed supply of oxygen elating your awakened senses! Stale oxygen begone! Pause in your leaning position for equilibrium, and now rise SLOWLY (you want to make sure you are steady), finishing your in-breath returning to a standing position, as your torso straightens and opens, experiencing that heady recharge, complements of a beginning exercise, in pranayama: "life control" (through breath and energy).
Cleansing Breaths are releases of carbon dioxide or inner tension, in several styles. Cleansing Breath may be done simply by breathing in fully through the nostrils with fresh oxygen, and then collapsing into the torso, as one blows the stale or blocked carbon dioxide out through the mouth...be sure to replenish that released staleness with a complete, fresh new breath for the brain, as you rise back up! A second style of cleasing breath is to perform the same in-breath with torso-collapse following, but blowing the CO2 outward in quick, short bursts through the lips, like small coughs without the inner shock to the esophagus.
A style of cleansing breath I find to be psychologically satisfying, is performing the Let-Go's...with short in-breaths and short out-breaths through the nose during these brisk, but light movements - a short quick in-breath while crossing one's forearms up into an EX in front of you, and on the downward pulse of the knees, releasing a short out-breath at the same time as directing the arms downward in sweeps behind one's back...the movement again, the forearms raising into crossed position in front of you as leverage...for the downward momentum, relaxing as those sweeping behind gestures ought to be. Oscillate between ex'ing forearms up in front on the short in-breaths, and then sweeping hands downward and behind on the short out-breaths, like pendulums, physically sweeping those out-breaths, clinging tensions, or nasty emotions and thoughts outward and behind oneself. Pulse on the knees in a subtle bounce (downward on the back-sweeping gestures) with the movements so that the whole, is one unified and pleasing physical release of anything needing to get out. This is not meant to be an aggressive motion but an accepting release, inviting invigorating short in-breaths of relaxation, joy, and inner balance. These Let-Go's are especially effective, being performed with a visual of open air, expansive land, or within a natural, calming environment, although it can be done where ever or when ever one is needing to let-go of negative vibes, blocked pranic energy, or stress. Breathing in and out in this brisk pace through the nose, moving limbs and lymphatic system of bodily detox, acts as a cleansing, awakening energy for the brain! Easily done, highly recommended.
Possibly the most elegant form of cleansing breath, would be Maha-Mudra or the Grand Gesture, clasping the fingers or interlacing them behind the small of the back, arms relaxedly straightened so that one feels that flex in the triceps, and tugging inward of the latissimus dorsi or interior back muscles, and this then opens up the torso and chest, also following that chest-opening with a freeing, upward motion in the spine. With a complete breath inward for preparation, allow the weight of one's head to guide the upper torso into dropping with control, or hanging downward from the hips (keeping those legs and feet anchored in place, as one drops forward), and expelling or blowing all that CO2 out through the mouth in one steady streaming whoosh, all the way down, as the arms with their fingers still clasped, rises with the movement to point straight-up into the air. One will feel a releasing as well as flexing of the back, triceps, and neck muscles, from this cleansing breath. Following Maha-Mudra ("mudra" meaning "seal" which is performed in many forms of gesture), allow one's straightened arms to guide the movement of the upper body into standing upright again, and release the mudra or clasped fingers, relaxing the muscles.
At this point, it would be valuable to mention two ways in which one may rise up again after hanging the upper torso from the hips in any kind of releasing of breath or upper body tension. The first, most appropriate way to rise back to standing from a curl-down, is by laying supportive hands into the area of the hips you are hinging or hanging downward from for support, and then gently straighten upward with a neutral spine or straight back, taking in an equally gentle, complete in-breath of fresh oxygen to replenish what you've just released. This way of coming back to standing upright is safest for the spine.
If one has a fairly flexible spine in yoga, there is some pleasure to be found in a second method of coming back to a standing position from hanging forward, rolling slowing upward with the in-breath, vertebra by vertebra, curling upward, tucking the pelvis forward, aligning the spine, rising in the torso, opening up in the chest, rolling back the shoulders, with one's head rolling upright at the very last. There are yoga teachers who will not suggest doing a roll-up, for safety reasons, preferring the first supported, straight back mode; but I believe it is up to the discretion of the individual and being honest with one's comfort zone and range of flexibility.
The Spinal Unravel is a relaxing release if one's back is uninjured and feeling somewhat flexible, performed by allowing the head's weight to roll you down, vertabra by vertebra, slowly curling forward...breathing stale oxygen out slowly with the movement...until you are hanging loosely from your hips. One may breathe in and out gently, in this position of release, and be sure to ground into the stance of one's feet for balance. The blood is given a chance to drain down in the other direction toward one's feet which is cleansing in itself. Give a gentle shake to make sure the neck and shoulders and arms are loose, not gripping but hanging and letting go of tension. Now, as above in the curling rise to standing position, curl up vertabra by vertebra, opening up the chest, rolling back the shoulders, and head rising last with a cleansing in-breath. This is a great move to use for loosening back stiffness.
Did you know that a good many of us retain stale oxygen in the bottom fifth of our lungs, due to shallow breathing habits, which depletes our natural energy and drains our concentration, even renders us sleepy? For concentration to be sharp, one needs the conscious flowing of oxygen to the brain, directly through the olefactory bulb of conscious intake. That practiced awareness of "premium" breathing is a part of conscious living, and the very beginning of yogic attention to breath-energy practices.
For a "re-boot," on one's "stale oxygen retention," try doing an Emptying Breath. There are different methods of cleansing breaths, but in order to empty out that stale-retention of the "bottom fifth" inside your lungs, simply begin by leaning down, hands on your knees for support, with head forward. In this preparatory pose, breathe in fully through your nose for the "cleansing supply of pressurized air," and then "SSSSSS!..." your breath out in a steady stream...(yes, breath-out on the hissing letter "S."), keep going...yes, keep going, I realize your hissing-out breath is starting to be strained, propel ALL of that inner breath out as far and deep as your abdominal muscles are able to squeeze out, and you may find by the end of the emptying, that your abdominals will begin climbing up under your ribs, bringing a concave effect to your belly...but go with it, go all the way until there is absolutely not another "SS!" you have left, being 100% "emptied out"...AND NOW...use those nostrils, pulling oxygen fully back in, through your olefactory bulb, through all three sections of your complete breathing apparatus: lower lobes, mid-section and upper...feeling that "whalloping" refreshed supply of oxygen elating your awakened senses! Stale oxygen begone! Pause in your leaning position for equilibrium, and now rise SLOWLY (you want to make sure you are steady), finishing your in-breath returning to a standing position, as your torso straightens and opens, experiencing that heady recharge, complements of a beginning exercise, in pranayama: "life control" (through breath and energy).
Cleansing Breaths are releases of carbon dioxide or inner tension, in several styles. Cleansing Breath may be done simply by breathing in fully through the nostrils with fresh oxygen, and then collapsing into the torso, as one blows the stale or blocked carbon dioxide out through the mouth...be sure to replenish that released staleness with a complete, fresh new breath for the brain, as you rise back up! A second style of cleasing breath is to perform the same in-breath with torso-collapse following, but blowing the CO2 outward in quick, short bursts through the lips, like small coughs without the inner shock to the esophagus.
A style of cleansing breath I find to be psychologically satisfying, is performing the Let-Go's...with short in-breaths and short out-breaths through the nose during these brisk, but light movements - a short quick in-breath while crossing one's forearms up into an EX in front of you, and on the downward pulse of the knees, releasing a short out-breath at the same time as directing the arms downward in sweeps behind one's back...the movement again, the forearms raising into crossed position in front of you as leverage...for the downward momentum, relaxing as those sweeping behind gestures ought to be. Oscillate between ex'ing forearms up in front on the short in-breaths, and then sweeping hands downward and behind on the short out-breaths, like pendulums, physically sweeping those out-breaths, clinging tensions, or nasty emotions and thoughts outward and behind oneself. Pulse on the knees in a subtle bounce (downward on the back-sweeping gestures) with the movements so that the whole, is one unified and pleasing physical release of anything needing to get out. This is not meant to be an aggressive motion but an accepting release, inviting invigorating short in-breaths of relaxation, joy, and inner balance. These Let-Go's are especially effective, being performed with a visual of open air, expansive land, or within a natural, calming environment, although it can be done where ever or when ever one is needing to let-go of negative vibes, blocked pranic energy, or stress. Breathing in and out in this brisk pace through the nose, moving limbs and lymphatic system of bodily detox, acts as a cleansing, awakening energy for the brain! Easily done, highly recommended.
Possibly the most elegant form of cleansing breath, would be Maha-Mudra or the Grand Gesture, clasping the fingers or interlacing them behind the small of the back, arms relaxedly straightened so that one feels that flex in the triceps, and tugging inward of the latissimus dorsi or interior back muscles, and this then opens up the torso and chest, also following that chest-opening with a freeing, upward motion in the spine. With a complete breath inward for preparation, allow the weight of one's head to guide the upper torso into dropping with control, or hanging downward from the hips (keeping those legs and feet anchored in place, as one drops forward), and expelling or blowing all that CO2 out through the mouth in one steady streaming whoosh, all the way down, as the arms with their fingers still clasped, rises with the movement to point straight-up into the air. One will feel a releasing as well as flexing of the back, triceps, and neck muscles, from this cleansing breath. Following Maha-Mudra ("mudra" meaning "seal" which is performed in many forms of gesture), allow one's straightened arms to guide the movement of the upper body into standing upright again, and release the mudra or clasped fingers, relaxing the muscles.
At this point, it would be valuable to mention two ways in which one may rise up again after hanging the upper torso from the hips in any kind of releasing of breath or upper body tension. The first, most appropriate way to rise back to standing from a curl-down, is by laying supportive hands into the area of the hips you are hinging or hanging downward from for support, and then gently straighten upward with a neutral spine or straight back, taking in an equally gentle, complete in-breath of fresh oxygen to replenish what you've just released. This way of coming back to standing upright is safest for the spine.
If one has a fairly flexible spine in yoga, there is some pleasure to be found in a second method of coming back to a standing position from hanging forward, rolling slowing upward with the in-breath, vertebra by vertebra, curling upward, tucking the pelvis forward, aligning the spine, rising in the torso, opening up in the chest, rolling back the shoulders, with one's head rolling upright at the very last. There are yoga teachers who will not suggest doing a roll-up, for safety reasons, preferring the first supported, straight back mode; but I believe it is up to the discretion of the individual and being honest with one's comfort zone and range of flexibility.
The Spinal Unravel is a relaxing release if one's back is uninjured and feeling somewhat flexible, performed by allowing the head's weight to roll you down, vertabra by vertebra, slowly curling forward...breathing stale oxygen out slowly with the movement...until you are hanging loosely from your hips. One may breathe in and out gently, in this position of release, and be sure to ground into the stance of one's feet for balance. The blood is given a chance to drain down in the other direction toward one's feet which is cleansing in itself. Give a gentle shake to make sure the neck and shoulders and arms are loose, not gripping but hanging and letting go of tension. Now, as above in the curling rise to standing position, curl up vertabra by vertebra, opening up the chest, rolling back the shoulders, and head rising last with a cleansing in-breath. This is a great move to use for loosening back stiffness.
Breathing bellows in, bellows out, by the moment, even the moment we think we’re aware, but are actually gripping, not breathing a moment, maybe missing the next two breaths. If I want to be alive in the moment, I always become aware of my breath. What’s my posture doing? What’s the state of my environment? What’s the quality of my oxygen? Am I utilizing that knob in the middle of my face?
Loosen that apparatus...send the mental intention to "open...rise." Rise up through your spine with your intention guiding the move, not weighing down on organs, and not forcing, pushing or gripping...simply lead with the clear intention sent to your body, experiencing the complete breath with a spine that is traveling and a body liberating its gripping into an "open conduit" to receive...then relax into, "letting go," grateful for having sustained a fully energized breath. (see Post: "Yoga's Complete Breath" for more elaboration)
If one can feel grateful with each successive breath one takes, a growing appreciation for living in the moment becomes possible. That one breath that was given complete quality of attention, becomes the new consciousness, breath by breath, caring more in the moment. Then how can one's actions not begin to reflect that passion for appreciation? That quality of breathing excellence, becomes the support system of caring more, realizing the action of achieving more with bigger heart!
One more thing...be conscious of where you take that conscious breath...if you can find yourself near enough, or have Time enough, step inside the chlorophyll forest. Why not surround yourself with premium oxygen!
Loosen that apparatus...send the mental intention to "open...rise." Rise up through your spine with your intention guiding the move, not weighing down on organs, and not forcing, pushing or gripping...simply lead with the clear intention sent to your body, experiencing the complete breath with a spine that is traveling and a body liberating its gripping into an "open conduit" to receive...then relax into, "letting go," grateful for having sustained a fully energized breath. (see Post: "Yoga's Complete Breath" for more elaboration)
If one can feel grateful with each successive breath one takes, a growing appreciation for living in the moment becomes possible. That one breath that was given complete quality of attention, becomes the new consciousness, breath by breath, caring more in the moment. Then how can one's actions not begin to reflect that passion for appreciation? That quality of breathing excellence, becomes the support system of caring more, realizing the action of achieving more with bigger heart!
One more thing...be conscious of where you take that conscious breath...if you can find yourself near enough, or have Time enough, step inside the chlorophyll forest. Why not surround yourself with premium oxygen!
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