Breath as an Instrument
- Kathryn Varley
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 4
When we listen to music played on a wind instrument such as a clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe, tuba, it is the spaces between the sounds, the pauses,, that give the music depth, shape and landscape. And so it is with the spaces betwee the inhalation and exhalation of our breath. These spaces determine whether our breath is balanced to enable it to directly support lung, heart and brain health as well as for optimum moblisiation and functioning of the muscular skeletal and central nervous systems.
The process of breathing lies at the heart of every action and re-action we make or have in response to situations and crises of everyday living. By refining and improving the quality of our breath we feel a positive impact on our mental, emotional as well as our physical wellbeing.
Modern scientific and medical research supports the belief that proper breathing is the cornerstone to excellent health.
When we were born, every nerve, every cell was nourished by our breath. every bone, muscle and organ moved with each breath. Most of us has forgotten what that feels like. We may no longer be able to feel the intricacies of the affects of our inhale and our exhale as well as the spaces in between. In reclaiming the fullness of our breathing we reclaim many other dimensions to our life.
Inhalation and Exhalation
Inhalation comes as a natural result of a full exhalation. Dramatic holding patterns may be seen in those with lung challenges such as asthma, emphysema, smokers and the affects of covid to name but a few. These conditions considerably diminish the full expression of our exhalation. The exhalation may be prematurely cut off as the body is accessing respiratory muscles that may no longer include full use of the diaphragm. This may eventually lead to more serious problems stemming from inefficiency of the muscles of the lungs and heart, which in turn not just affect the physical but also our mental and emotional health. This includes the brain.
Breathing NOW
We can easily test the capacity of our own diaphragm with a couple of simple breathing exercises. Eventually, when executed with ease, you may find yourself entering your Inner Sanctuary as the breath becomes calm, the mind quiet and sense a deep resting for the body supported by an easful rhythm of lungs and heart to completely nourish both body and brain.
Mobilisation
When we begin to understand and start to feel the effects of healthy breathing, the body becomes more fluid, supple, agile and kinesthetically aware that by changing breathing patterns, along with appropriate body movements, we are able to re-educate the musular skeletal to prevent or recover from impacts such as surgery, accidents and trauma trapped in the muscles and cells. See Somatics and our DNA
Breathing Exercises
Come to sit with the body supported in a comfortable position, either in a chair or sitting cross legged or some other appropriate seated floor posture where the spine is straight, chin parallel to the floor and shoulders relaxed.
If it feels comfortable to close the eyes, then let them close, if not then rest your eyes half-open, quietly and in stillness on a point straighr ahead.
Step 1. Breathe in and out for a count of 3
Breath in through the nose for a count of 3.
Breathe out through pursed lips with a whooshing sound to a count of 3.
Continue for four or five rounds, breathing in and out to a count of three, noticiting any changes to the rhythm of your breath and whether
the exhalation is still the same length as the inhale, mentally noticing silently to yourself any changes. Pause, let the breath settle into its own rhythm before continuing with the next step ..
Step 2. Breathe in and out for a count of 4
Breathe in through the nose for a count of 4.
Blow the breath out through pursed lips to a count of 4 with a whooshing sound, as if breathing out through a straw.
Continue for three or four rounds, breathing in and out for a count of 4, noticing any changes to the rhythm of your breath and whether the exhalation is still the same length as the inhale, mentally noticing silently to yourself any changes. Pause, let the breath settle into its own rhythm before continuing with the next step
Step 3. Breathe in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 6
Breathe in through the nose for a count of 4 and blow the breath out through the mouth with pused lips and a whooshing sound for a count of 6.
Continue for two or three rounds, noticing whether the exhalation has changed, whether it is shorter or longer than when you started out or whether it remains the same, There is no right or wrong way to feel what you are feeling. And it is possible that you simply may not notice anything. All you are doing is noticing. Only you know the answer to how you feel. When you have finished the rounds of 4-6 breathing, rest back inyo noticing the naturally rhythm of the breath. Notice how you feel in your body, mind and breath compared to how you felt at the beginning of the exercise.
Deep Resting
Throughout the practice you may sense yourself going deeper into a relaxed state, observing Mindfulness, which simply means you are present to noticing change as it happens whether it be as sensation in the body, breath, pain or simply mental constructs that appear to arise on repeat.
Read about deep resting click iRest Yoga Nidra
Let me know how you get on, whether you would like additional help or perhaps come to one of the 90 minute sessions to see for yourself how you may benefit from the fullness of diaphragmatic breathing.
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Interconnectedness Aug 4 Qigong and Yoga The Yoga Studio 1100-1230
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Inspiration : The Breathing Book, Donna Farhi - a practical guide to improving concentration and relaxation.
