Breathe In Harmony

In session two, we explore Sama Vritta, a gentle breath practice where the inhale and exhale are made equal in length. This simple rhythm helps bring calm, focus, and inner balance. As the breath settles into evenness, the heart and mind often follow, creating a state known as heart coherence. Whether you're here for stress relief or deeper presence, this practice is a powerful step toward harmony.

Transcript

Welcome back to our second session of Pranayama,

Breath Practices,

And in today's session we're going to be focusing on balancing the breath.

So we'll explore a practice called Samavritti,

Or equal ratio breathing,

A simple rhythmic breath that invites balance into body,

Mind and spirit.

Here's something beautiful to know.

When your breath becomes even,

Inhale and exhale in harmony,

It sends a calming signal to your brain through the vagus nerve.

Your heart rate steadies,

Your nervous system shifts towards rest and restoration,

And your mind begins to quiet.

This is called heart coherence,

A state where your heart,

Breath and brain fall into harmony.

Research shows that in this state,

Emotions like calm,

Clarity and even compassion naturally arise.

In yogic philosophy,

This balanced breath is said to harmonize the lunar and solar energies that move through the subtle body.

So whether you see it as science or spirit or both,

You're tapping into something deeply regulating and wise.

Let's begin by finding a comfortable seat or lying down.

Make sure your body feels supported and relaxed.

Let your eyes close gently or soften your gaze.

Take a few moments to simply notice your breath.

No need to change it yet,

Just observe the inhale and the exhale.

Now slowly begin to guide your breath into a steady rhythm.

We'll start by inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of four.

There's no rush,

Follow your own pace and let the breath be soft.

Let's try it together.

Inhale.

One.

Four.

Exhale.

One.

Good.

Take a moment to pause and return to your regular,

Usual breathing.

If the count feels too long or short,

You can gently adjust to what feels comfortable.

The key is to keep both sides even.

Inhale and exhale.

You may even start to feel a sense of calm,

Clarity or focus.

You've just practiced Samavriti,

Balancing your breath to balance your energy.

You can return to this practice any time you feel scattered,

Anxious or simply want to reset.

Thank you.