It’s kind of funny that over time modern humans have created retreats for something as natural as breathing. But come to think of it, even a newborn baby isn’t left to his/her own devices for its first breath. Think of your own breathing right now.

How does your breath behave this moment?

How does it move in your body? Is it regular and deep? Do you sometimes hold it throughout the day? Do you notice how you start changing it when you put your attention to it?

The first thing you might realise, is that you’re often not even that aware of your breath or breathing patterns. It has a life of its own. But that doesn’t mean it is fully functioning and serving your body, mind and mood in an optimum way. This is because there are many moments during growing up when our breath is interfered with, mainly through stress and anxiety. Without instruction on how to wisely deal with those traumatic instances, we create unconscious coping mechanisms, often involving the way we breathe. We might start breathing more shallowly or hold our breath at regular intervals without noticing.

Read: A student of Tushita tells how IAM Breathing has helped with Relaxation and Strength in their body.

Are you aware of your breath or breathing patterns?

When you start becoming more aware of the way you might be breathing throughout the day, you’ll quickly realise it might be a good idea to learn a thing or two about it. And to take some time out to focus on your breathing patterns and learn some good techniques for optimum oxygenation. Awareness, exercises, habit release are a powerful mix to improve how you feel and how your body functions. And when the body functions as it should, all kind of ailments seem to magically disappear. Cleared by oxygen, relaxation and understanding.

Here’s a great account of a student’s practise with deep breathing.

You’re always carrying your breath with you

As a bonus, your breath becomes more of an anchor during day-to-day stresses and upheavals we all experience. You’re always carrying your breath with you. In the words of Yanchiji, living spiritual master and renunciate founder of the Tushita Hermitage and Tushita Mystery School,

“Breathing is our most vital bodily intimacy with Life. We do not have to make it up. No ego required. Only the ego thinks it makes something, that it creates something. Music and poetry and inspiration and wisdom and intelligence and beauty and energy are already in Life; we do not make those “things” but we can express them, we can transmit them.”

Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

I attended a weekend IAM Breathing Retreat in July 2020 for the purpose of getting motivated to restart a daily practice after having a three week flu episode.

“You need to relax.”

Have a look at all upcoming 2023 retreats here.

Read more on how oxygen and healing correlate.

Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

I’m not attracted to organised exercise but when I was introduced to the IAM Breathing Method over a year ago, I recall thinking – I can do this at least.

I’ve done the breathing and breath holding (mostly) twice a day since and value it greatly.

Breathing practice is not new to me; however adding the mild stress of breath-holding, which activates natural healing functions in the body, has brought unexpected benefits. It seems oxygen and healing go hand in hand:

1. A rash and upper lung damage caused by radiotherapy nineteen years ago are healing.
2. Lymphatic problems caused by long-ago surgery are improving.

From the outset, I’ve appreciated the brief cold water exposure, finding it aids circulation and joint inflammation. I also feel a lift in energy, flexibility and well-being.

For me the IAM Breathing Method is a simple, undemanding and ongoing gift.

Read: Relaxation & Strength – another IAM Breathing personal account.

Why is Oxygen Important for Healing?

• Oxygen & Disease: As the fuel for cells to function properly, oxygen is necessary for every process in the body. Studies find that low oxygen plays a role in both underactive and overactive immune responses, making us both vulnerable to infection and to chronic autoimmune conditions such as arthritis.
• Oxygen & Energy: Fatigue is becoming the normal state for human adults around the world, leading to ever-growing dependence on stimulants such as coffee, energy drinks and sugar, which can in turn lead to further fluctuations in energy, exacerbate anxiety, disturb sleep patterns and promote dependence on sedatives such as alcohol to ‘switch off’. In comparison, oxygenating the body promotes an energized body and alert mind that unlike the whizzy hyperness of caffein or sugar, the mind is calmed and you feel a sober groundedness in the body.
• Oxygen & The Brain: Taking about a fifth of our oxygen, more oxygen has been shown to stimulate brain activity, boost alertness, concentration and increase memory capacity.
• Oxygen & Life: Becoming more aware and in tune with your breathing is a wonderful practise in becoming more connected with the very life of you. This article on Something as Natural as Breathing goes into more detail.

Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.