Breathwork Training – How To Follow Proper Technique During Meditation
Breathwork training is a critical aspect of meditation. Understanding the proper technique allows you to be in the present moment, relax your mind, and help you de-stress. It requires nothing but yourself, mind, and spirit.
In today’s day and age, it’s hard to even imagine that something this valuable and beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing can be free, easily accessible to literally everyone, and possible at any given moment. And yet, it is.
That being said, learning how to meditate isn’t easy. It might seem like all you need to do is sit or lie down and close your eyes, but it’s when you actually find yourself in that position that you realize how difficult it is to sit still and be by yourself, with yourself, for a certain period of time.
Seconds feel like an eternity and every position you try to squirm yourself into becomes uncomfortable after a while. That’s why meditation gurus always state how “practice makes perfect.”
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Benefits Of Meditation
Every person who felt the power of meditation can speak to its incredibly positive effect on their mind and bodies, making them feel relaxed, less stressed, and even less reactive in stressful situations. And although experience and testimonials can speak for themselves and are often enough evidence for someone to try it out themselves, science proves the benefits of meditation through medical proof.
Studies showcase its amazing effect on lowering stress levels, reducing symptoms of PTSD, relieving anxiety and depression, improving focus and memory, promoting better sleep, lowering blood pressure and inflammation, and helping you find a sense of purpose.
These health benefits are only the tip of the iceberg and with plenty of studies underway, we might finally listen to all Tibetan monks who’ve been doing this for thousands of years and reaping all the benefits.
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How To Meditate?
Now that you know all the benefits of meditation, you might wonder how to start meditating — while focusing on your breathwork training. Or better yet, what to do if you tried it, but couldn’t sit straight for more than two minutes?
Don’t Force It
First and foremost, don’t force it. Just like with every other activity, skill, or routine you’re learning from scratch, you’ll need to approach it slowly and with tolerance. Some people get it right away and look forward to taking a moment to disconnect from their daily activities. However, others need more practice to let go of anything that isn’t just their breath.
One Day At A Time
Not every day will be the same. There will be times when you’ll get into it straight away, feel good, and connect to both yourself and the present moment. But there will also be days when your thoughts will be all scattered around and you’ll force your eyes to stay shut instead of looking at your watch to see how much time you have left.
Both situations are normal because there are so many factors that influence our lives on a daily basis and meditation isn’t something that will distract you from them; it’s actually there to help you confront them. And some days it’s just easier than others.
Meditation Is No Place For Perfection
There is no right or wrong way to meditate. There is no perfect position to strive for, the specific duration you should work towards, or even an after-meditation feeling you should expect to have. Every time you close your eyes and turn inwards is different.
One day you may have practiced perfect breathwork training, helping you meditate without distraction. The next day, you may find trouble sitting still for even two minutes. This doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Every day is an opportunity to start again. Be patient with yourself and trust the process.
Find Your Meditation
Lastly, find your meditation practice. This is something that requires a lot of trial and error, patience, and willpower. There are many different types of meditation and what works for one person doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for another. Find what turns you inwards and lets you follow your inhales and exhales.
If you want guidance, there are also plenty of meditation apps and videos out there for you to try and get into this self-care practice with ease and extra motivation. Each of these resources will help you practice your breathwork training to improve your experience.
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Breathwork Training
Meditations that focus on your breath are the foundational types and they are the easiest to start with. Other types, such as visualization or transcendental meditation with mantras, might be hard to master in the beginning. This is because they require more internal focus.
Breathing is rhythmic and it’s something we constantly do without even being aware of it. That’s why paying attention to it brings you to the present moment and keeps you engaged.
How To Practice Proper Breathwork Training
Start by finding a comfortable seat or lie down on a supportive mat and close your eyes. Place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest and simply observe your breath. Notice your inhales and exhales and feel the air enter and exit your nostrils.
Now start observing your hands and see how much each one moves as air goes in and out. You’ll probably notice how the hand that’s on your chest moves and the one on your belly not as much. That means you’re breathing shallowly and it’s common amongst most people. This is your invitation to deepen your breath, and to move the hand on your belly as much as you can.
Inhale and fill out your belly; exhale and empty it out. Keep repeating this exercise and really use your breath to spread oxygen to every cell in your body. This way, you’ll notice how focusing on your breath made you forget about everything else you might have thought, felt, or experienced prior to sitting down. It’s just you, your breath, and nothing else.
This is where the power of meditation shines through. It’s the incredible ability to disconnect from the physical world and just be.
