When we think about the breath as a primordial tool, we realize our unbelievable power within us.
Presence Technique Self-Practice
BODY BOND
USING BREATH TO RECONNECT TO THE BODY
When we think about the breath as a primordial tool, we realize our unbelievable power within us.
Presence, the kind that magnetizes us to yoga classes, operas, ballet performances and other expressions of life that allow us to feel highly connected with what it means to be a soulful human, is only possible because of the breath.
The breath is our lifeline, both from an every three-second involuntary oxygen bath perspective, and from an incredibly sophisticated and systematic voluntary oxygen infusion in our body and in the present moment.
Presence Technique Self-Practice
Somato Respiratory Integration( SRI)
Somato Respiratory Integration( SRI) is a set of exercises that help us cultivate the skills to acknowledge and more easily move through the 12 stages of healing coined by chiropractic pioneer, Dr. Donald Epstein.
‘ Somato’ refers to the body, while‘ respiratory’ refers to our breathing, combined into a powerful system to harness our energy within that can help us heal and transform our physical and emotional pain.
Each stage of Dr. Epstein’ s work is complemented by a specific exercise that links somatic awareness with breathing. It promotes the ability to focus attention on large and subtle body movements, self-directed breathing, awareness of the body’ s tensions, and verbal statements reflecting the internal state.
Our bodies become educated to their rhythms and inner wisdom, using breath, touch and focused movement and attention to experience our bodies with more awareness.
Using the body as vessel of the soul, SRI helps to shift our states of consciousness and have more trust for both our bodies and where we are in our lives.
Stage 1 SRI | Body Awareness
In the Stage 1 exercise, we reconnect with our bodies and begin to find ease in experiencing our touch, breath, focused movement and energy in positions one, two and three.
Instruction Breath: In nose / Out mouth
Hand Position: One hand on top of the other over the three positions
• Position 1: Heart
• Position 2: Solar Plexus
• Position 3: Belly Button
Process: Can be done lying down with knees bent or while sitting
• Direct your breath and movement under the area your hands are resting on
• Explore what it feels like to focus your attention solely on the position and perceive its tone, qualities and sensation
• Observe your experience of how each area moves and breathes and what you are aware of in each area
Adhara Catalogue | Winter 2017 17