The manner in which we breathe plays a huge role in how healthy and emotionally grounded we are. As a tantra teacher, I place great emphasis on correct breathing and the tantra breathing techniques prescribes by the tantra scriptures. Apart from overall physical, mental and spiritual wellness, tantra breathing is an excellent method of detoxification.
The commonly accepted misconception that breathing should take place through the chest is just that - a misconception. It is a myth propagated by physical fitness advocates who simply do not know any better. In fact, chest breathing can lead to a lot of complications, since the lungs cannot expand to their fullest capacity and are therefore unable to absorb oxygen properly. One of the first things that your tantra teacher will inform you of is that chest breathing is shallow, unhealthy breathing.
Furthermore, expanding the chest is one of the ways in which men behave when they want to display aggression or dominance. It is a primitive response to danger, and its purpose is for the male to take up more space and make himself look bigger and more powerful. For this reason, making it a habit to expand the chest releases all sorts of stress hormones.
For any serious student of tantra, it is important to unlearn this unhealthy manner of breathing and to be instructed in the prescribed tantra breathing methods. This is not always easy.
The correct way of breathing as per tantric yoga guidelines involves drawing breath in slowly through the nose and allowing the abdomen (rather than the chest) to expand. In this way, the diaphragm is distended downwards and creates more space for the lungs to be filled. It is helpful to imagine that the air is being drawn through the lungs and into the belly.
This kind of breathing can be practiced in day-to-day life until it becomes second nature. While practicing tantra breathing during a tantric yoga session, one can take the technique further. After drawing in the breath as outlined above, hold it for a brief moment and then begin expelling it, allowing your belly and chest to deflate. However, the period of exhalation should be longer than that of inhalation, even if by just a few seconds. Then begin the cycle again. Be warned that dizziness may occur, since the blood is absorbing much more oxygen than the body is used to.
Avoid the use of any kind of burned incense while practicing this kind of tantra breathing, as the process of burning smoke will compromise the oxygen content in their air and also introduce harmful residues of combustion into it.
By practicing this tantric technique of inhalation and exhalation, you are ensuring that your lungs are completely voided of used-up air and filled to capacity with fresh oxygenated air. Practicing this kind of breathing for ten minutes each morning and night will have a profound and lasting effect on your body and mind.
Acharya Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra Teacher with deep knowledge of traditional Indian sciences. Visit his tantra online guide for Tantra Lessons from this young Tantra Master.
Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.
No comments:
Post a Comment