Yogic Breathing

By Anna Quon

Yogic breathing is an ancient technique that calms the mind, energizes the body and lifts the spirit. Recently, a course sponsored by the Art of Living Foundation, an international non-profit educational and humanitarian organization, has made yogic breathing more accessible to people with physical and intellectual disabilities or financial constraints.

"Breath Water Sound" was originally developed by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the people of rural India. Taught in 60- to 90-minute workshops over three consecutive days, Breath Water Sound is a practice that includes breathing, chanting, meditation and singing.

Unlike the more familiar forms of yoga, the practice is done sitting down, and so is accessible to wheelchair users. And, like yoga, it can be practised in a group or alone, with no equipment costs.

"I practice Breath Water Sound first thing in the morning, every day," says Stephen Noel, a Halifax resident with a disability. "I find it to be a nice way to start off the day with the energy boost from the practice. It’s delightful energy, too."

Amol Verma, a university student who has been doing yoga since he was a child, recently taught the Breath Water Sound practice to a group of eight people with disabilities in Halifax. He referred to breath as "a forgotten element in our society today," and spoke about how emotions are linked to patterns of breathing. By changing a breathing pattern, he says, emotions can be affected.

"The mind is like a kite," says Verma, and the string is the breath. By pulling a little on the string - returning to the breath - you can bring the mind into line. Focusing on the breath helps you to return to the present moment. "And when you’re in the present moment, you have so much more energy," Verma says.

Breath Water Sound begins with long, deep breaths, then the chanting of the sound "om," which Verma says is an ancient sound common to all religions and therefore harmonizing. As Verma demonstrates, the chanting of "om" causes energy to rise from the body to the head, as evidenced by where we feel the vibrations. Next is the Bhastrika, or "bellows breath," which involves vigourous arm movements and focus on sharp inhalations and exhalations, and is an energizer and stress reliever. The Ram ("light within me") meditation, during which the participant chants "Ram" for different durations, uses sound vibrations to help with meditation. The practice ends with silent meditation for five or 10 minutes, and, in the group practice, with simple and uplifting songs that are familiar to everyone.

"In the past, I really enjoyed my experience with yoga exercise and breathing when I was physically able to do it," says Gail Giles, another participant in the course. "I was delighted to find this combination of yoga, breathing and exercise now that I use a wheelchair all of the time. I practise it daily, usually first thing in the morning. It gives me a boost and clarity to start the day."

"I want to say how tremendously relaxing and therapeutic it was for me," adds Alison Purdy, who also uses a wheelchair.

Breath Water Sound is a unique and individual course that includes some of the same elements of the regular Art of Living course, but which is less strenuous and offered free of charge. It’s hard to say how many people around the world are doing it, but over the past five years it has spread from India to Western Europe, the U.S. and Latin America.

"It’s beneficial to everyone," says Verma, "but it’s important that people with disabilities not be overlooked."

(Contact the Art of Living at aol@hfx.eastlink.ca to find out more about Breath Water Sound in your area. Anna Quon is a freelance writer living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.)