Living my Yoga - Day 5 of Training - Pranic breathing

On Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to partake in advanced pranayama for the modern yogi with Darren John Main.

"Most forms of hatha yoga emphasize the third limb of yoga, asana (yoga poses) and only the most basic yogic breathing techniques are employed. paranayama, the fourth limb of yoga, is the practice of regulating the breath in order to affect deep physical and psychological changes. Thus, by working more consciously with the breath, yoga students can take their practice to the next level. During this workshop, we will learn ancient breathing techniques known in our modern culture by names such as pranic breathing, rebirthing and holotropic breathing. in the context of a safe and supported environment, this simple yet powerful technique invites us to release mental, emotional blocks and to reconnect with the foundation of any yoga practice— the breath. as you practice this yogic breathing technique, you will have access to very deep levels of the mind and energy body allowing for a deep release."
~ Source: Tranquil space description of workshop

In the beginning of this workshop, Darren prepared us that some of us may have certain emotional, sensational, mystical or spiritual experiences during the breathing. He said, don't expect anything and don't be disappointed if nothing happens at all. Hmmm....well, I did not imagine that some deep breathing could really cause crying, sobbing, laughing, emmotonal outbreaks in a room of about 50 people. What are the odds really?

I suppose it's not about odd's at all.

To be honest, I did not have a tramatic emotional outbreak...but during the process of breathing 5 counts in and 5 counts out, and then holding our breath for as long as our body allowed did DO SOMETHING to me....

....Even if it was only the effects of the oxygen in my body...after about... oh let's say 20 minutes of breathing in and out of my mouth with a continuous rythm, I felt my fingers grow heavy and my legs and arms feel tingly, and the moments after holding my breath, I had unexplainable sensations in my legs similar to uncontrollabe twitching.

Also, during this hour of breath work, Darren periodically would ask us to think about various individuals in our life; someone we loved, someone we had not yet forgiven, someone who insipired us, etc.... tears did come to my eye's when I thought about my grandma who recently passed away (although I think this was more about timing than it was about an emotional breakthrough)....

Other individuals in the room had vastly different experiences, some of which were obviously emotional. It was difficult for me to focus on myself during this time, as I heard others in the room crying, part of me wanted to get up and go to console them, help them STOP crying, help them feel comforted. BUT...as Darren explained in the beginning of the class...we go every day holding our tears on, stopping ourselves from expressing our feelings and emotions...so to have an opportunity to just cry or laugh if we need to without holding it in....can be extremely satisfying and 'awakening'.

For more information on this type of breathwork, here are some resources:
http://www.abouttheheart.org.za/THE_PRANIC_BREATH.htm
http://www.zakairan.com/ZaKaiRansArticlesBooks/Articles/PranicBreathing.htm