When the breath is unsteady, all is unsteady. When the breath is still, all is still. Control the breath carefully. Inhalation gives strength and a controlled body; retention gives steadiness of mind and longevity; exhalation purifies body and spirit. – Goraksasathalam
The sixth of Atisha’s contemplations on death, Your Body is Fragile and Vulnerable, is all about the breath. Breathing in, my life depends on this inhalation. Breathing out, my life depends on this exhalation. Human life relies on the process of breathing.
Being a yogini, I’m regularly practicing breath work and breath awareness and there are lots of benefits to this, including but not limited to:
• Improves immunity
• Calms down anxiety
• Increases sleep quality
• Improves digestion
• Reduces inflammation in the body
• Improves concentration
• Keeps you alive
It literally keeps you alive. If you’re not accustomed to noticing your breath, consider taking just a moment to take a deep breath in and think to yourself “my life depends on this inhale”, let it out and think “my life depends on this exhale”.
Our bodies are so fragile and vulnerable. It’s really simple. Just breathe and love.