pooddychaj.pl (breathe)

Conscious Breath

On average, a person takes around 23,000 breaths a day. At birth, we take our first breath, and at the moment of death, we take our last. How many of those breaths do we take consciously? Breath is our life force. The Japanese knew this, calling it Ki, while the Chinese refer to it as Qi. Many of us have heard of the Indian concept of Prana. In Hebrew tradition, there is Ruach (breath, spirit), Pneuma in Greece, Ka in Egypt, and Mana in Polynesia and African cultures. It seems that Western culture is only beginning to appreciate the importance of breath. The man who introduced the power of conscious breathing to the Western world is Leonard Orr.

Orr noticed that a specific way of breathing can evoke particular emotional states. The way we breathe changes depending on our thoughts, emotions, and feelings. We breathe differently when we are sad, and differently when we feel joy. A relaxed person breathes fully, while someone who is scared or stressed holds their breath.

About the Project

The pooddychaj.pl project was born out of a need to share knowledge about breathing with those around me. At a certain point in my life, when I needed support, I tested many practices to help me get through a difficult time. However, it was the breathwork practices that brought me peace, allowed me to calm down, focus, and find the energy to continue my search. Aware of the power of breath, I decided I wanted to help others discover its potential in a responsible and thoughtful way. I bought a stack of books on the subject of breathing... and started looking for a teacher.

Fate led me to Scotland, where I met John Paul Mason, the creator of breathingjourneys.com. After familiarizing myself with John's work, I enrolled in the Breathwork Facilitation Training to learn from him. As my experience grew, I felt the need to share my knowledge with a larger group of people. Besides my family and friends, my work started to extend to the local community. The ability to conduct online sessions opened the doors to shared practice for anyone interested in trying this form of breathwork.

Breathing accompanies us every day, and its significance is often reflected in our language – “Breathe a sigh of relief,” “Try to catch your breath,” or “Take a deep breath”. Although we all use these expressions, few of us fully harness the potential of breathing techniques in daily life.

In recent years, thanks to the popularization of methods such as those by Wim Hof, breathing has gained more recognition in Poland as well. Delving into this subject reveals new possibilities, the richness of which is often underestimated. I want even more people to realize that breathwork is not just limited to distant Eastern practices used by monks, but is within reach and can help each of us in our daily lives.

I encourage you to consciously use the powerful tool of breath. From time to time, I organize meetings where I share knowledge and experiences in this field. If you would like to learn more and begin your journey with breathwork, I invite you to follow my social media [FB] and to contact me directly via Facebook or email.

Breathing Techniques

A Conscious Connected Breathwork session begins with a short conversation, during which we establish the intention or goal of the session. Then, the participant lies down in a comfortable position, often on their back, and starts breathing consciously, continuously, without pauses between inhalation and exhalation. The breath is deep and rhythmic. The facilitator guides the participant's attention to different aspects of breathing and the body.

During the session, intense emotions, images, or memories may arise, and the body and mind enter a state of deep relaxation and release. The facilitator may support the process with gentle guidance, music, and touch to help deepen the experience. The session ends with a gradual slowing of the breath. At the end of the meeting, the participant can share their impressions and reflections with the facilitator.

Sessions can take place face-to-face in an agreed-upon space or online.

How a Breathing Session Can Help

Stress and tension reduction: Regular breathwork helps lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, resulting in deeper relaxation and better tension management.

Improved emotional well-being: Conscious breathing allows the release of blocked emotions, which can lead to greater emotional balance and better connection with one's feelings.

Deeper self-awareness: Sessions enable a better understanding of one's inner self, opening access to the subconscious and allowing reflection on internal thought and emotional patterns.

Improved concentration and mental clarity: Breathwork helps increase focus, leading to better concentration and a clearer mind.

Working through trauma and deep emotional healing: Conscious connected breathing can be a tool for processing difficult emotions, past traumas, or unresolved experiences, helping to heal and integrate them.

Greater presence in the moment: Breathwork allows us to be more deeply in the "here and now," which enhances mindfulness and develops the ability to be more aware of our body, mind, and emotions.

Increased creativity and inspiration: In states of deep relaxation, new ideas, problem solutions, and inspirations for action often arise.

Worth reading...

Breath - James Nestor

The author takes the reader on a journey around the world, discovering the immense impact that breathing has on our physical and mental health. "Breath" is a book that combines science with practice, offering us concrete tips on how to change our breathing habits to improve our quality of life. This book is for anyone interested in health and self-development, as well as for those who want to better understand how this fundamental, often underrated process of breathing can influence every aspect of our lives.

The Presence Process - Michael Brown

"The Presence Process" is an exceptional book for me, where the author introduces the technique of conscious connected breathing, allowing even the most restless minds to calm down and enter the titular process. For 10 weeks, together with Michael Brown, we journey towards a deeper awareness of ourselves, freeing ourselves from past traumas and emotional blockages, and learning how to live more consciously and in harmony with our inner selves.

The Tao of Natural Breathing - Dennis Lewis

From the perspective of Chinese philosophy (Taoism), this book describes how the principles of natural breathing and understanding the flow of energy (qi) in the body are key to the author's approach to health, well-being, and spiritual growth. I hope that after reading it, you will open yourself to the concept that 'ki' in Japan, 'mana' in Africa, or 'chi' in China may refer to the same breath energy, the exploration of which I strongly recommend.

Breathe...