The breath is a healing sound
The breath harmonizes heart and mind
The breath is a powerful sound and method for healing and relaxation. As we listen to our breath, sounds of a relaxing beach may come to mind. Perhaps we hear the ebbing and flowing of ocean waves in the rise and fall of our inhales and exhales. The sound alone can be pleasing and gentle, though its sound does even more to connect our inner and outer worlds.
Mindful breath has the power to relax and align the heart rate and brain waves. This is key to lowering stress and bringing heart and mind into harmony.
By deepening the breath, the full lungs are used and nourished with air and the body is refreshed with oxygen. This contrasts with usual breathing which tends to be shallow. In shallow breathing, only the upper part of the lungs are used. This neglects the middle and lower parts of the lungs and doesn’t provide the body with as much oxygen as it should have. Different parts of the lungs relate to different chakras. The lower lungs relate to the lower three chakras (root, sacral and solar plexus), the middle lungs connect to the heart chakra, and the upper lungs connect to the throat and third eye chakras. In shallow breathing, we remain ‘stuck’ in the mental layer and mind stuff. But, as we deepen the breath and reconnect it with our emotional and physical layers, we reconnect and revitalize the full spectrum of our energy.
By slowing the breath to a steady rhythm, the vibrations of heart and mind are brought into the slow, steady rhythm of the breath. This process is called entrainment: when different vibrational frequencies come into unity or harmony with one another. Often, the brainwaves remain in beta zone as we go through the stressful activities of day-to-day life. But, as the brainwaves relax to the alpha-theta zone, and as our energy centers become re-engaged and reconnected through full use of the lungs, the brain can receive creative, intuitive imagery, thoughts and guidance. This allows our thinking mind to become more attuned to our highest truth and deepest values, and better connected to the present moment. The ‘mind stuff’ is no longer isolated from other aspects of our being, and so we are better able to access relaxed wisdom instead of incessant thought.
The inhale and exhale of the breath offers an invitation for the mind to engage with the body through the breath in a helpful way. On the inhale, attention is focused on drawing in desirable qualities - perhaps peace, grace, gratitude, appreciation, joy, confidence. On the exhale the attention is focused on releasing qualities, attitudes or beliefs we are ready to let go of - perhaps anxiety, pain, impatience, intolerance, criticism, shame.
The pauses in between the inhale and exhale allow a moment for integration. As new energy is invited in on the inhale there is a moment for this newness to calibrate into the existing energy. As old energy is released on the exhale, there is a moment for the system to adapt to the newly created space.
In viewing the simple yet profound act of breathing this way, we have a wonderful sound healing tool to use no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Becoming mindful of our breath’s depth and rhythm as well as the thoughts we use on the inhale and exhale, can improve our wellbeing body, mind and soul.
Sound Self-Care
