To soothe the mind and relax the body is a natural process and can easily be attained by natural, healthy abdominal breathing.
Everybody knows the phenomena when your mind jumps from one topic to another, remains uneasy and we struggle with spirals of thoughts. This causes emotional reactions with biochemical output manifesting in the body. Then, relaxing or falling asleep can become quite difficult. Let´s shine some light on how we can learn to control the mind with a relaxed breathing pattern and to calm ourselves down when we want to.
Influences of the breath on body and mind
Our basic bodily functions are orchestrated by the autonomous nervous system (vegetative NS). It is a feedback system which adapts our physical reactions to the outer circumstances adequately. Our breath has a major impact on the regulation of those complex processes.
In a dangerous situation, the sympathetic NS gets active. Our body gets flooded with adrenalin, the heart rate increases to bring more oxygen into the system and the blood pressure rises. During this “fight or flight” mode the breath rate increases and the mind contracts to focus on the situation at hand. In traditional Yoga, these aspects are regulated by the energy channel Pingala Nadi.
When we´re in a save situation the breath flows deeply and relaxed and the parasympathetic system gets active. In the “rest and digest” mode the blood pressure sinks and the breath and heart rate declines. The mind expands, relaxes and opens up for insights into the wisdom within. The so called Ida Nadi is active.
How to relax the mind through the body
The body follows the mental actions and manifests what we breed in our minds. As a feedback system, we also influence our minds through physical actions. As we establish deep and slow breathing the body receives the signal of being safe and without worries. The abdomen should be completely relaxed so that the diaphragm can move freely and fully expand the lounges´ capacity. By the activation of the parasympathetic NS, the heart rate and stress hormones decrease. The muscles ease up and the mind can rest. More about healthy breathing in this article.
Observe the breath and experience the benefits of sane breathing
With the constant observation of healthy abdominal breathing, we can train our focus. We learn how to remain with ourselves instead of dispersing oneself in various disconnected thoughts. Fearless we can become aware of the moment, and the mind lets go of stressful thinking patterns. A relaxed and open mind can receive the treasures of the subconscious and develop a meditative practice. In traditional Yogic Pranayama, we use the knowledge about the positive effects of distinctive breathing patterns to attain specific states of awareness. Deep and healthy breathing and the resulting mindset also enhance every Asana practice. Therefore the natural deep breathing lets you experience the deepness of spiritual physical exercises.
At Vedic Yoga Academy, We Offer Pranayama Teacher Training in India and Nepal.
