The Yoga Of Energy Medicine Part 1. BREATH

The Yoga Of Energy Medicine 

by Joaquin Fioresi

Part 1. BREATH

“Breath is the bridge to oneself and God.”

                                      -Hazrat Inayat Khan

Breath, without this precious gift we all would cease to exist. Oxygen fills the body as the blood receives it in the pulmonary system located in our lungs, circulating oxygen rich blood to the heart and throughout our system.  

With breath in it’s fullness we thrive in every part of our lives. In sessions with clients I like to remind them “the better you’re breathing, the better your experience.” Hence the better we breath on a daily basis in our lives, the finer the results.

The way in which we breathe is of vital significance in the way we express and address life.

As one breathes shallow, one is robbing oneself the opportunity to open to the fullness life has to offer. In shallow breath we are far less able to comprehend the deeper spheres of our self and life as a whole, as one misses out on all the fun.

Our energetic channels are directly affected reflecting the ebb and flow and rhythm of the breath. 

“As we breath, so we receive.”

In breathing deeply we are claiming our grace given rights to take in and take on the fullness of life!

In our choice to breathe deeply we receive that sweet feeling of “great~fullness,” for all of life’s creations and wonders.

Those around another breathing easy and deep, feel comfortable and secure in  their presence.  

It’s good to take in the breath and hold it in from time to time to allow your lungs to digest and assimilate it’s beneficial etheric properties.

The ancient yogis used a breathing technique called Pranayama, the science of breath control. Consisting of series of exercises intended to meet the body's needs in keeping it in vibrant health. Pranayama comes from the following words: 

• Prana - "life force" or "life energy"

• Yama - "discipline" or "control"

 Ideally, this practice of opening up the channels carrying vital life force energy was not merely to take healthy even deep breaths; yet was intended to prepare yogi’s in their meditation process.

In our respiration process, we breathe in or inhale oxygen into our body, going through our body systems in a form of energy to charge our many vital organs. Then we exhale carbon dioxide and take away all toxic wastes from our body. 

The practice of Pranayama, balances the oxygen and carbon dioxide ebb and flow. Absorbing prana, “vital life energy” through breathe control, this gracefully links our body, mind, and spirit. 

Sufi Master and Saint, Hazrat Inayat Khan articulated the deepest facets of the breath by stating: “Breath in fact is the light of all senses. The sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing and touch perceive all things by the light of breath. If breath is absent from the body, the body becomes useless. Therefore in order for the senses to become keen and powerful, the breath needs to be developed and purified.”

We can develop our breath and purify our energetic channels with regular practices.   Breath lights the spark of our energetic system that keeps us in tune with all the forces of nature, from the highest to the lowest.

Why not align ourselves with this primordial power of life force energy and invite it’s wisdom into our lives with an open heart and mind?

When breath is infused with presence, profound healing possibilities become possible in the vast field of intention. 

In my years of Chi Gong training with my beloved teacher Dr. Yen Wei Choong, when all of this was new to me, he gave me the visual that changed the way I saw the work I was devoutly practicing. He said,  “Wherever the mind goes, chi goes. Wherever the hands go chi goes.”

The gift of these breathing exercises I endured and learned in my time at the Yellow Emperor Healing Center in San Anselmo was the most profound lessons I had in the way breath changed my entire perception of life within and all around me. 

As I woke up to the power of  breath I got to witness the change in everyone and everything all around me. My self expression soared to new found heights, my sensitivity followed suit. 

I found that I needed to retreat with just me and my breath, and seek others who were supportive of and strove for balance in their lives. I am so grateful for that time and phase in my life, because growing up I never had the support or wherewithal to breath deeply or to explore my soul spiritually as I experimented living life openheartedly and creatively.