This is the bellows breath to stimulate energy.
The bellows breath can help us overcome sluggishness and it can even help our digestive system to work more efficiently.
The bellows breathing technique works to invigorate you,
So it is not recommended that you practice this technique close to bedtime.
This breathing technique is also not recommended for those who are pregnant,
Those who may suffer from uncontrolled hypertension,
Those who suffer from seizures or epilepsy,
Or those with panic disorders.
Use this breath at times that you want to stimulate energy,
Such as when you are first waking up in the morning,
Or maybe when you need to become a little clear-headed because you have a meeting to go to,
Or before you go to the gym,
Or for a run.
So right now,
Before we get into all that,
I just want you to take a moment to relax and get comfortable gently closing your eyes,
That's right,
And just allow yourself to soften and let all the muscles of your body become loose and limp.
Allow your breathing to settle into an easy,
Natural and rhythmical pattern.
As thoughts come to your mind,
Acknowledge them and simply let them float away,
Freeing your mind.
Continue to relax and slowly breathe in,
And slowly exhale.
In this state,
You are connecting to life energy.
Feel yourself sinking deeper and deeper wherever you are sitting,
Letting go of all distractions and thoughts.
As you take another deep breath and slowly exhale,
You feel yourself growing very peaceful and calm and centered.
Just allow yourself to feel the breath as it moves through your body,
And begin to breathe a little deeper as you breathe out any strain or tension you feel in the body.
Just let yourself go.
Every muscle,
Every fiber,
And every bone of your body is gradually being drained of all tension and stress as you sink deeper and deeper down into this state of pleasant and comfortable relaxation.
In a moment,
We will begin to practice the bellows breath.
Make sure you are sitting with your back straight so that the breath can flow easily through your body.
This breathing technique is very invigorating,
So it may take some time to get used to,
So begin by taking another deep and cleansing breath,
Breathing deeply from your abdomen.
Now we will begin the bellows technique by breathing very quickly and forcefully through the nose.
The breathing in this technique is strictly from the diaphragm,
And breathing in and out through the nose with the mouth closed the whole time.
So you will take an initial deep inhalation.
Now begin the first forceful exhalation out the nose,
Followed by a forceful deep inhalation in through the nose at a rate of one second or so per cycle.
That's one cycle.
This happens very quickly.
You'll keep your shoulders and your neck still while your belly moves quickly in and out,
Controlling the breath,
And you will continue this quick breathing technique for about ten seconds initially or ten quick breaths.
Let's begin.
Breathe in.
Now just breathe easily and naturally,
And notice any sensations in the body.
Sit quietly for a few moments,
And we will repeat this cycle two more times.
So we're going to begin again by filling the diaphragm with your first inhalation,
And then we will continue this cycle of breathing for 15 seconds or 15 quick breaths.
Let's begin.
Now breathe easily and naturally,
And again notice any sensations in the body,
And then just sit quietly again for a few moments,
And we will repeat the cycle one more time.
I should note here that if you feel dizzy or lightheaded,
You may just continue to sit quietly,
Feeling the breath,
And maybe that's all you do for today,
Or perhaps you go back and do only ten this time.
But if you're ready,
Let's go ahead and do this one last time.
Inhale.
Then forcefully exhale through the nose 20 deep inhalations,
20 deep forceful exhalations at the rate of one second or so per cycle.
Now just sit quietly and observe the sensations.
Allow your breathing to return to natural and normal breathing.
Now you do not want to perform this exercise too long initially because you could lose consciousness due to hyperventilation.
Use this technique when you wake up in the morning and anytime you need an energy boost.
I would suggest doing this perhaps every other day at first until you get used to it,
And work your way up to a point where you could do 30 cycles in 30 seconds.
Now just let yourself relax and enjoy this cleansing feeling.
