The five-element breath is used to balance the five energies of the body that correspond with each of the elements,
Earth,
Water,
Fire,
Air and ether.
As the mind focuses on the process,
It begins to release stress,
Tension and lets go of worry and fear,
Allowing the body to restore its equilibrium and the brain finds coherence.
The practice is in five parts,
Each part goes for approximately two minutes,
Yet it all seamlessly flows into one continuous guided practice.
Now please use headphones to optimize your experience if you have them.
So finding a comfortable place to sit with your spine straight,
Become aware of your breath,
Observing its natural rhythm,
Noticing the rise and fall of your chest as you inhale and exhale.
How does the breath feel?
Is it fast or slow?
Is it shallow or is it deep?
Taking a few moments now to connect with your breath,
Releasing your shoulders,
Relaxing your face and any tension in your jaw.
The first element is earth,
Nurturing and stabilizing.
We breathe in and out of the nose,
Allowing the breath to flow naturally in and out of the body.
Awareness of the breath as it enters the nose,
Aware of the breath as it exits the nose.
Feeling the breath entering the nose,
Feeling the breath leaving the nose.
Awareness of the breath entering,
Awareness of the breath leaving.
Continue at your own pace in and out the nose.
If your attention wanders,
Gently bring it back to the awareness of the breath.
Breathing in the nose and out the nose,
Breathing in and out.
We now transition to the breath of water,
Flowing,
Purifying,
Life-giving water.
Breathing in the nose and out the mouth with lips slightly pursed.
Breathing in the nose and out the mouth,
In the nose and out the mouth.
Continue at your own pace,
Awareness of the breath as it enters the nose and leaves the mouth.
Stay with the sensation of the breath.
Breathing in the nose and out the mouth,
In the nose and out the mouth.
Moving now to the breath of fire,
Transmutation.
Breathing in the mouth with lips slightly pursed and out the nose.
Breathing in the mouth and out the nose,
Breathing in the mouth and out the nose.
Continue at your own pace,
Breathe in the mouth and out the nose.
Staying with the feeling of the breath,
In the mouth and out the nose.
Aware of the sensation of air as it enters the mouth and leaves the nose.
Breathing in the mouth and out the nose.
Transitioning now to the breath of air,
Freedom,
Releasing limitations.
Breathing through the mouth with lips slightly pursed and out through the mouth with lips slightly pursed.
Breathing in the mouth and out the mouth.
Breathing in the mouth and out the mouth.
Feeling the sensation of air as it enters the mouth and as it leaves the mouth.
Continuing at your own pace.
Breathing in the mouth and out the mouth.
Staying with the feeling of the breath,
In the mouth,
Out the mouth.
Breathing in,
Breathing out.
The final element is the breath of ether,
Peace,
Unity,
Soul connection.
We breathe in through the nose and we breathe out through the nose.
Letting the breath be gentle,
Smooth and slow.
Breathing in through the nose,
Breathing out through the nose.
Feeling the breath as it enters the nose and leaves the nose.
Staying with the sensation of the breath.
Continuing at your own pace.
Breathing in the nose and out the nose.
Aware of each breath.
Breathing in the nose and out the nose.
Feeling each breath.
Breathing in the nose and out the nose.
May this practice bring you peace and balance.
Repeat it as often as needed.
Thank you so much for joining me here today.
