
I found out about circular breathing in 2005, when a friend invited me to a healing circle in Woodinville (right outside Seattle), Washington.
It was an early evening circle, the room smelled like lavendar and jasmine, and we laid in a circle with our feet facing each other, while a man I nicknamed White Hawk Feather led us through an intense and deep breathing exercise designed to activate our pineal glands, heal pain, and open our hearts.
After one session, I was hooked.
White Hawk Feather warned us ahead of time, that some people may experience something called Tetany (link goes to an article I wrote on this subject, in case you are experiencing it yourself), and to simply continue to breathe and relax on our mats.
As I breathe, I noticed my tendency to want to leave the breath. White Hawk Feather said this was our tendency to want to leave ourselves. So I brought myself back, again & again. By the end of the session, I was buzzing from head to toe, and in a state of peace and calm I had never experienced before. I was hooked.
What is Circular Breathing?
Different than the Tantric tradition, Circular Breathing is the art of breathing into the bottom of the spine, up into the heart and chest, and then down from the heart and chest slowly back into the lower spine, inhaling & exhaling.
What Makes Circular Breathing Unique?
Unlike other forms of breathwork, Circular Breathwork is performed laying down, usually covered, often with soft music, and is designed as a kind of therapy to assist the body in letting go of stored pain, emotion and what Ayurveda would term Samskaras. It is usually a self-guided process, but it can also be a process that is supported by a gentle guide or energy worker like myself.
How Do I Perform Circular Breathwork?
Over time, the breathing will get easier, and you may find you need more or less of it, depending on your results. I encourage you to stick with it, at least once or twice a week, until you get the results you seek (but even then, keep with it. The results are truly unending).
So now, the 5 Things That Make Circular Breathing the Best Thing Ever:
There is SO much to love about breathwork and Circular Breathing. I would love to hear more about your experience with it, and your favorite parts so far, in the comments below. See you soon 🙂