THE POWER OF BREATH: THE KEY TO HAPPINESS IS RIGHT BENEATH OUR NOSES!

RIGHT NOW, TAKE A DEEP FULL BREATH, AND LET THE EXHALE GO!! . . . On the physical level, breath is life. Although we can go for many days without food or water, after only a few precious minutes, we must breathe in order to live.  For thousands of years, humans have studied the art and science of breathing. It has been shown, in fact, that the more we breathe, the better we feel, and the better the body functions in virtually every major system. Why, then, do the vast majority of us exhibit shallow breathing patterns as we grow older? What has happened to that free, healthy, open breath that most of us began with as babies?

As it turns out, as we grow and develop we learn very quickly that one of the best ways to deal with life's difficulties is to shut down our breath. Whether it's as a response to a painful event, a family trauma, a cultural expectation or simply to stress, the shutting down of our breath tends to deaden or postpone the processing of our experience. Ideally, if we were able to fully breathe while experiencing the event, or later when the mind was reviewing the event, we would be able to fully process and integrate it. However, this is rarely the case. More often, we continue on with our lives unable to fully understand the experience until, eventually, the associated pain is suppressed and a restricted breathing pattern develops. This restricted breathing pattern further inhibits our ability to deal with similar events and over time dramatically reduces the quality and vitality of our lives.

The Power of Breath is a self-empowering healing method that encourages deep self-growth and profound change on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. Through full, diaphragmatic, open-mouthed breathing (often called circular breathing) we are able to literally transform the painful memories from our past that have been stored within the body. On the physical level, by opening up the breath we can achieve better oxygenation and oxidation, increased metabolic activity and energy production, improved heart and organ functioning, better lymphatic drainage, improved cellular efficiency and better brain performance. By breathing more fully, we notice an improvement in our immune response and a dramatic increase in our ability to handle stress.

On the mental and emotional level, the positive effects of this type breathing can best be seen in the clearing of old patterns of belief that often result in "dis-eases" in the body. These diseases or imbalances are usually the result of chronic tensions stemming from unprocessed memories that have been stored (suppressed) in the subconscious. By opening up and connecting the breath, the body is "activated" into a kind of state wherein these old suppressions are encouraged to come to the surface. Then, during the session, by continuing to breathe with and through these thoughts, sensations or feelings, the experiences can be accepted and allowed to integrate in a more beneficial way. During the connected breathing session and at the individual's own pace, old fears and limiting beliefs are re-examined and cleared, freeing up tremendous energy and creating a sense of self-confidence and new opportunities for self-growth and freedom.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?   The Power of Breath personal training program combines the best aspect of a conscious, connected breathing method in a direct and integrative style that supports the individuals in a safe, comfortable and relational setting. The Power of Breath also offers other dynamic tools such as finding and clarifying one's life purpose, the art of spiritual mastery and opportunities for creative, intergrative expression.

The key components that make it different from most other breath processes are the use of conscious intention and invocation, sacred sound or toning, a full diaphragmatic breath, and the use of sacred ceremony. The primary goal or intent of The Power of Breath is to return awareness back to Source, to reconnect the self to its highest goodness and to empower the individual in their daily life. As an integral part of that process, our primary focus is upon what we are seeking to awaken, rather than what we are trying "to get rid of."

The Power of Breath is a unique modality that is ever evolving. We seek to recognize that it is never too late to find the beauty and power of our lives. Through the use of conscious connected breathing and awareness practices, we choose to reclaim the gift of our own, unique life energy and move in a direction of a passionate life full of realistic and joyful goals. We wholeheartedly embrace this process as a way to create more peace, acceptance, and harmony within the world and ourselves.

Jeremy Youst is a Transformational Counselor with a full-time private practice in Keene, NH. He has been involved in breathwork since 1989. In 2000 he co-founded The Power of Breath School for Life Mastery. Then in 2003, he began offering a nine-month Empowerment Training and a Facilitator Certification Training. He can be reached at 603-357-6250 or via e-mail at jeremy@powerofbreath.com .

Tara Nieves is a certified Power of Breath facilitator maintaining a private healing practice, Breath Awakenings, in Hingham, MA. She can be reached at 781-740-0068 ext 3 or via e-mail at taranieves@hotmail.com .