2 April 2014

Breath- the one true companion

Children astound us with their boundless energy.Follow me @whitefielder
Most of us remember the exuberance and unending energy of our own early youth when we breathed with relaxed open bellies and as a result had an almost limitless supply of energy. Then we unconsciously began and learn and change our breathing patterns. 
                    Now, as grown-ups we find ourselves trying to reawaken this aliveness- turning to artificial methods like caffeine, sugar, nicotine or doses of vitamins and herbs. We feel agitated and try to quell our unease with all manner of things. We subsist on the excitement of one fleeting moment after another using our various obsessions to temporarily ignite us.
             Yet, all through we have a suspicion that we could feel better, more at peace, more energetic, and that something undefinable is missing from our lives.
                 What we do not know that the answer to this lies within us- in the powerful, full bodies breath we breathed as children. The very ebb and flow of life.
We draw our first breath as soon as we leave our mother's body. A breath that fills our every cell with energy and kick starts our every organ. A baby's breath moves it's entire body, the soft belly rising and falling freely. If you like start becoming aware of the stomach. Are we keeping it tight and clenched, thus breathing mainly from the upper body? Every now and then, throughout the day let's wander back to the stomach and let it loosen and free up with every exhale.
        Breath is the one thing that stays with us through life and come what may, we keep breathing. But when the stomach and chest gets constricted, the free flowing river of Prana, the vital life force, that flows through us gets restricted, reducing a strong stream to a trickle.
                This can single handedly lead to myriad problems on every layer of being.
        When the last breath leaves our body we are no more, at least not in the current form. Our one companion, let us keep it free and it will free us in turn.


First of all the twinkling stars vibrated
But remained motionless in space
Then all the celestial globes were united into one series of movements
Firmament and planets both disappeared
But the mighty breath which gives life to things
And in which all is bound up- remained.
                              -Vincent Van Gogh


.Below link will take you to all the other blogs participating in the April blog challenge. There is a huge variety of theme and the bloggers have worked with great interest to bring you well written, interesting posts.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/


26 comments:

Jayanta said...

Breathing is so taken for granted and we hardly recognize how important is this... A nice post.

Anonymous said...

Breath - Lovely! That is very crucial in yoga. My master used to warn me that if I don't breathe right during yoga especially I will not get complete results!!!

Beloo Mehra said...

Breath right! That's so important. Thanks Sunila for reminding us of this most important tool we have to relax and find our inner poise whenever things go a bit awry.

Prasanna Rao said...

I used to practice breathing aasana when I learnt Yoga. But sadly with the hectic life schedule I have stopped doing my aasanas. Maybe time to pick it back again :)

Mina Menon said...

Its surprising rt, how something as unconscious as breathing plays such a significant role in our well being......

Nabanita said...

My sister tells me to do breathing exercises whenever I'm hyper...She tells me it's very calming...Maybe it's time I try it out...

Bhavya N said...

Inhale-Exhale-Inhale is one of the best things that we can do for the body.

Ishithaa
#AtoZChallenge

Damaria Senne said...

Very nice post

Unknown said...

Breathing is so important... it makes you live... and makes me stress free too ...

Rajlakshmi said...

I remember my Dad saying the same thing about breathing and Yoga. Profound write up.

Unknown said...

What a great reminder... It's "just there" right? - but so essential to be aware of it, and practice it also. I learned a lot today too:-) Loved your post:-)

Anonymous said...

Yeah...between the beginning and end of the breaths is our life and we take such an essential thing for granted. Lovely theme for the cleansing of body mind and soul. All the best.

Loni Townsend said...

Beautiful post. I know I'm a shallow breather, and my lungs are pretty weak. When I go running, they make me stop long before my muscles do. A breath, simple yet so important.

Sreeja Praveen said...

Every breath is important, and they say you've to breathe deep and well.... a very informative post, Sunila.

Bob Sanchez said...

Greetings, A-Z Challenger! Breathing is so basic, I never seem to think about it unless I have trouble doing it.

Tara Tyler said...

sweet, simple breath - without it, we are nothing
brings us back to the basics - good post!

happy b day!

Sitara said...

Breathing.........
I know how pranayama releases stress

Sunila said...

Thank you wonderful blogger friends,am short of time today and so saying thank u in one note to all of u. All your words mean a lot to me :)

Srikanth said...

Wonder if the needs are diff for people with sedentary life style vs those doing some sport

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder, Sunila. I need to remember that it's not just for the yoga class. :)

Debbie D. said...

Speaking as someone who has asthma, I couldn't agree more! :) Breathing is always taken for granted, until you find yourself struggling for air.
The Doglady's Den

Ananya said...

Breath taking post ;)

Ananya said...

Breath taking post ;)

Hiral said...

Thanks for the wonderful post...

Sunila said...

Thanks all :) Debbie if you r a yoga practitioner is it helping with your lung capacity? I have asthmatic students who have reported improvement.
Srikanth of course each lifestyle has a different need :)
Ananya what a sweet comment :)
Ovengoodies, true isnt it :)
Thanks Hiral dear :)
Thanks a ton Appu:)

Padma Hari said...

B.. for Brilliant Post.. Pranayaam truly releases vital life force. Kudos!