Integrated Man

Our human minds often like to separate life into manageable parts, it makes it easier for us to cope in the world.  Especially in this complicated age of technology where information is thrown at us at an incredibly alarming rate, we are feeling more and more like we need small bits to chew.  Once piece at a time, one email at a time, one phone call a time, one text at a time, one project a time, one step at a time, one question at a time, one persons needs at a time. But that isn't how it really happens in life or in our bodyminds.

We are designed to be in an integrated whole, the circulation can not be separated from the respiration, nor the respiration be separated from the muscular system or the digestive system.  The digestive system won't work properly without the excretory system or  information from the endocrine system, and our immune system certainly needs a healthy digestive system to work properly at all.  You get the idea, and that's just the beginning on a physical level.  The interconnection between the body, mind, emotions and spirit is also an integrated unit we commonly call an aura or bodymind.  We are designed impeccably, automatically our bodies always strive toward balance, compensating as necessary trying to maintain an incredibly complicated system.  If our own scientific experts don't fully understand the bodies mechanisms and what to do when things go awry, how then do does the common man begin to manage his own body?

The answer may not be simple but the mechanism to begin the chain events to re calibrate and manage the systems begins with one simple thing, the breath.  On one level the breath is governed by the autonomic nervous system, which helps us when our minds are pre-occupied, we can completely forget about breathing, but we do it anyway.  On the other hand, when we become conscious of the breath it opens the doorway to self-mastery.  When we take charge of the way we breathe we can nourish the body's systems, decrease stress hormones in the body, speed or slow metabolism, control blood pressure and redirect energy in the body to help the body re-balance and heal.  The breath has the ability to enlighten, enliven, and enrich every aspect of our being.  The breath is the tool we were given to integrate and balance man.

Everything begins with the breath....Try this simple exercise....

While there are many different ways to consciously breathe, most commonly taught is Diaphragmatic Breathing with the 3 part breath. 

1.Begin the inhale directing breath first into the lower abdomen, then the lower ribs, allowing them to expand out to the back and sides and then at the end of the inhale bring the breath all of the way up to the clavicles.

2. Exhale, first from the clavicles, then the lower ribs, then the lower abdomen. 

3.While the movement of the breath is steady and relaxed on both the inhale and exhale, the exhale is lengthened/slowed as if done in three parts.

Practicing the 3 part breath is great for individuals coming into awareness of their breath and for individuals with a disrupted breathing pattern.  For excellent, detailed information on breaking disrupted breathing patterns, read “The Breathing Book” by Donna Farhi.  

Variations on the 3 part breath are commonly taught in yoga as part of a Pranayama practice.  Pranayama is a practice that consciously engages the breath to stimulate and move life force energy (chi, Qi). 

Common ratio’s for the amount of time spent on inhale:exhale are;

4:2

6:3

8:4

10:5

After becoming familiar with this breathing pattern you can add on this exercise in awareness....

Without judgement, criticism or the need to change anything, simply begin to notice the sensations of the breath, the flow and movement that it creates in the body.  Notice any tingling, vibrating, pulsing sensations that you may feel within, as well as any feelings of lightness or heaviness (darkness) in the body.  Notice how continuing the conscious breathing process changes these sensations over time.