Breath-work Meditation, Pt. 1
While I have done meditation using apps and as part of yoga classes in the past, 2019 was the first time I participated in a class dedicated to not only meditation but specifically breath-work meditation.
What is breath work? Breath-work is a universal term used to describe any kind of therapy that uses breathing exercises that manipulate your breathing to better one’s mental, physical and spiritual health. The benefits of breath work include reducing stress, decreasing certain types of inflammation and helping to alkalize your blood PH levels. While breath-work is considered safe by modern medical professionals, you should still check with your doctor before you start any breath work practice, especially if you have a history of cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, or are currently taking antipsychotic medications.
The adults-only class was held in a softly-lit, carpeted meditation room that fit about eight adults comfortably, including the instructor, a certified breath-work coach. The coach was welcoming to everyone in the class. The room was surrounded by heavy dark curtains for privacy and decorated with Southwestern-style woven blankets and rattan baskets, which gave it a rustic-zen vibe.
We began the class by closing our eyes and lying on our backs with plush cushions and blankets for comfort and warmth. Meditative music played as the instructor led us through a series of breathing exercises that focused on our breathing. At times during the class, the lying down while deep-breathing in and out became somewhat uncomfortable for me, as I am used to sitting or standing upright when I am deep breathing. Nevertheless, I simply breathed normally and focused on relaxing my own body without comparison to other classmates. What was most relaxing was the calmness I felt once I quieted my inner voice when it began judging whether or not I was doing the exercises “right.” Overall I felt comfortable being able to follow both the exercises and the flow of the class.