Post by robincragin on Nov 5, 2015 11:36:54 GMT -5
Take a deep breath. Don’t hold back. Go ahead; fill your lungs and feel them expand. Once you’ve done this, you’ve already begun your most basic lesson in spiritual empowerment. Breathing is essential for life. It is also essential for magic.
Does it seem a little mundane? Great. Breathing is not only grounding, but it is the basis of many spiritual disciplines that focus on acquiring and directing magical power. The practitioners of haha yoga rely on the effects of breathing to stimulate prana, the life energy. Once the life energy is flowing it leads to the rising of the kundalini—-the force that awakens and brings strong magical force to you. Success in many martial arts, such as acid, tai chi and qui gong, depends on the practitioner tapping into his or her spiritual energy, also known as chi or ki, through specialized breath control techniques. In Hawaii, the master of magical power, the kahuna, relies on ritualized breathing methods that help control the flow of both of both physical and psychic energy.
Good, deep breathing also has healthful benefits. It helps you to relax. A good breath contributes to sustaining the body by nourishing the blood supply and the cells with oxygen. In essence, human life needs air.
Impressive, isn’t it? A little breathing goes a long way in magical practices. And if you’re planning to live your life energetically, healthfully, and magically you’d better get used to doing it well. Speaking of breathing: have you begun to nice your own breath yet? If not, take a moment and sense how you’re breathing right now. Do not alter the quality of your breathing. Simply follow it. Is it short and shallow? Is it deep? Is it regular and rhythmic? Where does the breath feel as though it reaches? Your stomach? Your chest? Your throat?
The magical ceremonies of Wicca typically begin and end in the direction of the east, which symbolically corresponds to the element of air. It is fitting that your journey along the mystic path of Wicca begins with air and with breathing. Mastering breath control is your first act of empowerment.
Exercise: Powerful Breathing
Take a slow, deep breath. As you do notice what happens. Does your cage hike up and cause your shoulders to wrap around your ears? Does it feel as though it stops short in your throat? That’s improper breathing. Don’t worry, most of us who lead stressful, fast-paced lives do that. Let’s jump right in and learn the secret of a powerful, magical breath.
As you take your next slow, deep breath, focus your attention on drawing the air in and down. You want to create the sensation that your belly fills with air as your back expands in the process. As you exhale, allow the breath to go naturally. Now that’s good breathing.
Next, Let’s focus on the exhalation. Practice releasing your breath just as slowly as you’ve inhaled it. Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Notice how your tension just seems to melt away? The next time you face a stressful situation, take time to breathe deeply and slowly and you’ll quickly regain your composure. Just get cut off on the freeway? Breathe. Is your boss on your case? Breathe. It will soon pass and you’ll be all the more relaxed in the meantime.
Practice powerful breathing at least once daily, for three to five minutes at a time. A deeply relaxed state of mind and powerful energy raised by proper breathing is what Wiccans need to successfully employ their craft. Powerful breathing is the first step toward a thriving magical practice.
Does it seem a little mundane? Great. Breathing is not only grounding, but it is the basis of many spiritual disciplines that focus on acquiring and directing magical power. The practitioners of haha yoga rely on the effects of breathing to stimulate prana, the life energy. Once the life energy is flowing it leads to the rising of the kundalini—-the force that awakens and brings strong magical force to you. Success in many martial arts, such as acid, tai chi and qui gong, depends on the practitioner tapping into his or her spiritual energy, also known as chi or ki, through specialized breath control techniques. In Hawaii, the master of magical power, the kahuna, relies on ritualized breathing methods that help control the flow of both of both physical and psychic energy.
Good, deep breathing also has healthful benefits. It helps you to relax. A good breath contributes to sustaining the body by nourishing the blood supply and the cells with oxygen. In essence, human life needs air.
Impressive, isn’t it? A little breathing goes a long way in magical practices. And if you’re planning to live your life energetically, healthfully, and magically you’d better get used to doing it well. Speaking of breathing: have you begun to nice your own breath yet? If not, take a moment and sense how you’re breathing right now. Do not alter the quality of your breathing. Simply follow it. Is it short and shallow? Is it deep? Is it regular and rhythmic? Where does the breath feel as though it reaches? Your stomach? Your chest? Your throat?
The magical ceremonies of Wicca typically begin and end in the direction of the east, which symbolically corresponds to the element of air. It is fitting that your journey along the mystic path of Wicca begins with air and with breathing. Mastering breath control is your first act of empowerment.
Exercise: Powerful Breathing
Take a slow, deep breath. As you do notice what happens. Does your cage hike up and cause your shoulders to wrap around your ears? Does it feel as though it stops short in your throat? That’s improper breathing. Don’t worry, most of us who lead stressful, fast-paced lives do that. Let’s jump right in and learn the secret of a powerful, magical breath.
As you take your next slow, deep breath, focus your attention on drawing the air in and down. You want to create the sensation that your belly fills with air as your back expands in the process. As you exhale, allow the breath to go naturally. Now that’s good breathing.
Next, Let’s focus on the exhalation. Practice releasing your breath just as slowly as you’ve inhaled it. Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Notice how your tension just seems to melt away? The next time you face a stressful situation, take time to breathe deeply and slowly and you’ll quickly regain your composure. Just get cut off on the freeway? Breathe. Is your boss on your case? Breathe. It will soon pass and you’ll be all the more relaxed in the meantime.
Practice powerful breathing at least once daily, for three to five minutes at a time. A deeply relaxed state of mind and powerful energy raised by proper breathing is what Wiccans need to successfully employ their craft. Powerful breathing is the first step toward a thriving magical practice.