“Focusing on the act of breathing clears the mind of all daily distractions and clears our energy, enabling us to better connect with the Spirit within.”
You may think of breathing as a way to survive, but there is a lot more to it. Did you know the word spirit actually translates to “breath” in Latin? This points to the fact that breathing goes deeper than just surviving – it is living. It is your breath that connects your mind, body and spirit.
Breathing deeply can actually help you make a deeper connection between your mind, body, and inner spirit. That is one of the few reasons why practices like meditation and yoga focus on breathing so much.
Here are some ancient breathing techniques that will help you forge a deeper mind, body, and spirit connection:
1. Ujjayi Breathing
Don’t you have the feeling of calmness and tranquility every time you practice yoga or meditation? That is because of ujjayi breathing. Ujjayi breathing is basically rhythmic breathing that helps you release frustration and irritation from your body.
Ujjayi breathing helps you detoxify your mind. And when your mind is free from tension and stress, you can forge a deeper connection with your spirit.
The technique of ujjayi breathing is quite simple. All you have to do is seal your lips shut tightly and take a deep breath through your nose. After that, slowly breathe out through your nose.
Ujjayi breathing is very helpful in various situations, like when you are practicing yoga and meditation, when you are angry or nervous, or when you are agitated. Ujjayi breathing will help your nerves to calm down.
2. Bhastrika (Breath of Fire)
If you want to tone and slim your belly, Bhastrika is the perfect way to do it. This ancient breathing technique works by detoxifying your body and boosting your metabolism, which allows you to create a deeper mind, body, and spirit connection.
For Bhastrika, sit crossed leg on a flat surface and place both your hands on your lower abdomen. Take deep rapid breaths through your nose while pumping your abdomen so the muscles of your belly contract and expand with each breath.
3. Relaxing Breath
Relaxing breath helps remove toxins and unnecessary toxins from your body, which helps in a deeper spirit-mind connection.
Lie on the floor on your back and place your hands near your naval region. Bend your legs and bring your feet close to your buttocks. Take deep and slow rhythmic breaths through your nose around 20 times. This helps you to relax, which calms your nerves and emotions. Relaxing breathing also strengthens your immune system and nervous system.
4. Cleansing Breath
Another ancient technique for a deeper mind, body, and spirit connection is cleansing breath. In this technique, you take deep breaths through your nose with your eyes closed.
Visualize the air you are breathing as a life-giving, white, and pure energy. Imagine that energy as a healing power flowing through your mind and body. Hold the breath in for 3 to 10 seconds and then slowly exhale. Cleansing breath will clear all the negativity and tension.
Use these breathing techniques in your daily life and you will have a deeper mind, body, and spirit connection in no time.
Written By: Elevate Nutrition Founders, Jillian Salomone and Paul Salomone