Not knowing what to expect I went in with an open mind. On the morning of my first session I had been feeling rather below par; almost on the verge of a stomach bug but not quite. I did not mention this to Jean Pierre. I thought the less I say the better I thought…let the modality speak for itself. He introduced me to what it was all about: we would breathe together, long in-breaths and short out-breaths. We could also expect to tone. And to move the hands and arms. To sit up, to lie down. To use what he calls belly bags…..It sounded rather terrifying and intense. Leaving the room at that point was out of the question. Besides which I never would turn down a new healing experience. So away we went.
I was supported by music, a variety of rousing and also beautiful songs. And of course by Jean Pierre who with gentleness, healing hands and voice, and encouraging words saw me through an hour of breathing, toning, sighing, inhaling deeply, exhaling, sitting up, lying down, moving arms and legs….just as he said.
Whew!
There were times in the process that felt really taxing. And I had to get over times of feeling self conscious too. This is not talk therapy. It is truly entering the space of body/mind and soul. All the time Jean Pierre was guiding my breathing. With a watchful eye he was taking note of my breathing pattern. The toning, moving, and changes in body position were all there to help me breath more smoothly and naturally. Words of encouragement like “It is safe to breathe” and “It is safe to feel my pleasure and my pain” seemed to come at just the right moment and served as crisp reminders of how breath is spirit, and each breath is life.
As much as I know that fact from years of yoga practice, it felt as if my breath in this experience could really take centre stage. It is after-all, all about the breath. That’s what I teach my yoga students. An hour of breath-work, being supported to breathe more fully, helped to enhance that knowledge as a truly felt experience. Each breath is amazing. Each breath needs to be honoured. It is safe to breathe and feel and live.
It is easy to take the breath for granted, and even as a yoga teacher I sometimes can forget that long deep breathing can happen off the mat as well as on the mat! While breathing can be an unconscious process, unlike other bodily functions it can also become more conscious. Conscious breathing encourages the expansion of awareness and can teach us to receive and let go of life more fully.
I left my first session energized, relaxed, more open and dare I say it…more cheerful? After my first session I went for a swim at my local gym and lo and behold it felt as if my lungs were far more able to take me further than I usually go…I was aware of my diaphragm intensely….and how my breath seemed to be guiding the swimming. Strangest of strange…in my next yoga practice waves of tears seem to be pouring out my eyes for no apparent reason. Could this be linked?
Session two was a little more painful and more intense….JP moves the diaphragm and releases areas that feel blocked. The release of blockages can be painful, the music and the encouraging words really helped “I forgive myself” “I have compassion for myself” “I let go and still succeed”…were beautiful affirmations to hear and breathe with. The session felt deeper. I knew what was coming and what was happening. Breathing consciously is like coming up close to ones soul, one’s essence. After all we are always just one breath away from our last breath. I really understood that this time….
Jean Pierre gave me some homework; a beautiful cd of music and 15 minutes a day of breathing practice (on top of my daily yoga/meditation practice…oy!)….but I could already feel the benefits of this work….I was a diligent inspirational-breather for the next week as I started my day off with 15 minutes breathwork before my yoga/meditation practice. Clearly I had more energy during the week. Such a simple formula and yet so often forgotten. Breath is prana, energy, life force…take in more of it and you will feel more alive. The following week I fell off the rails with my daily breathing so returning to my final session was a relief.
Session three and four just became a deepening of the journey with the breath…I had made the decision to still not read up on the work and to trust the journey itself. And I think it is still early days to tell. Having just come back from my fourth session I can tell you it is an intimate and amazing journey into yourself and the fundamental essence of who you are….with the help of a kind, supportive, healing and guiding presence (namely Jean Pierre).
Jean Pierre told me, each experience is unique and different. The journey allows one to return to the natural breath we had as a baby, before we learned to contract and control ourselves to please others. Before we lost the trust of our divine essence. In regaining ones original breath, and learning to breath again, we are reminded of who we are and where we came from. This is work of the spirit brought into the body.
After four sessions I believe it is too early to see the longer term effects. However it seems clear that this is a powerful modality. I can say that I am left committed to continuing my own breathing sessions and to explore this way of healing further.
“Breathe deeply and gently through every cell of the body, laugh happily, and release the head of all worries and anxieties; and finally breathe in the blessings of love, hope and immortality that is flowing in the air, and you will understand the meaning of human breath.” Pundit Acharya