BREATHWORK

Breathwork can be a powerful tool for self-care and holistic well-being, offering a pathway to connect the mind, body, and spirit. You may connect to The Divine through the simple act of conscious breathing.

Breathwork encompasses various techniques and practices that focus on intentional control and manipulation of breathing patterns to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It involves conscious regulation of breath to induce regulation or intentional stimulation of the nervous system.

Breathwork finds application in various practical contexts, offering a versatile toolkit for enhancing well-being, managing stress, improving focus, and promoting overall health. Here are practical ways breathwork is used:

Stress Reduction and Relaxation:

Daily Practice: Integrating simple breathing exercises into daily routines helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation. Techniques like deep diaphragmatic breathing or 4-7-8 breathing can be practiced for a few minutes each day.

Before Stressful Situations: Engaging in focused breathing exercises before facing stressful situations, such as meetings, exams, or presentations, helps calm nerves and enhances mental clarity.

Enhancing Physical Performance:

Athletic Training: Controlled breathing techniques like the Wim Hof Method or rhythmic breathing are used by athletes to enhance endurance, manage fatigue, and optimize performance during training or competitions.

Yoga and Exercise: Mindful breathing is a fundamental aspect of yoga and exercise routines. Coordinating breath with movement enhances body awareness, improves stamina, and supports proper technique.

Emotional Regulation and Mental Clarity:

Managing Emotions: Breathwork techniques aid in managing emotions by promoting self-awareness and regulating the body's stress response. Practices like alternate nostril breathing or guided breath meditations foster emotional balance.

Focus and Concentration: Breathing exercises such as box breathing or deep, deliberate breaths are used to enhance focus, increase attention span, and improve mental clarity for tasks requiring concentration.

Improving Sleep and Relaxation:

Pre-Bedtime Routine: Techniques like progressive relaxation breathing or 4-7-8 breathing are employed to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality when practiced before bedtime.

Managing Anxiety and Mental Health:

Anxiety Management: Breathwork serves as an effective tool in managing anxiety. Techniques like equal breathing or coherent breathing help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Supportive Therapeutic Applications:

Therapeutic Settings: Breathwork is used in therapeutic settings, such as psychotherapy or trauma healing, to facilitate emotional processing, release tension, and support overall mental health.

Holistic Wellness Practices:

Meditation and Mindfulness: Breathing exercises are central to meditation and mindfulness practices. Techniques like mindful breathing or body scan meditations enhance mindfulness and self-awareness.

Emergency Stress Relief:

Quick Stress Relief: Simple breathing exercises like deep belly breathing or 4-4-4-4 breathing can be used on-the-spot during moments of acute stress or panic to calm the body and mind.

Social and Interpersonal Benefits:

Social Situations: Controlled breathing exercises can help manage stress during social interactions, public speaking, or moments of nervousness.

Breathwork's adaptability makes it a valuable tool that can be integrated into various aspects of life, offering practical and accessible means to improve physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Types of Breathwork

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing: Also known as belly breathing, this technique involves deep inhalation where the diaphragm moves downward, allowing the lungs to fill with air. It helps reduce stress and increase oxygen intake.

2. Pranayama: Rooted in yoga, Pranayama consists of different breathing exercises designed to regulate and control the breath to balance the body's energy, calm the mind, and enhance vitality.

3. Holotropic Breathwork: Developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof, this method involves controlled breathing to induce altered states of consciousness for self-exploration and healing.

4. Wim Hof Method: This technique combines specific breathing patterns, cold exposure, and mindset practices to improve energy levels, reduce stress, and enhance immune function.

Techniques and Practices

Box Breathing: Inhale, hold, exhale, and hold again for equal counts, creating a box-like pattern. It promotes relaxation and focus.

Alternate Nostril Breathing: A yogic technique where you inhale through one nostril, exhale through the other, and alternate. It helps balance energy and calm the mind.

4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. It aids in relaxation and can assist in falling asleep.

Practicing Breathwork:

Find a comfortable, quiet space to practice.

Start with gentle, controlled breathing techniques.

Focus on your breath, maintaining a relaxed and steady rhythm.

Gradually explore and experiment with different breathwork methods to find what resonates best with you.

Written by Cassandra

Massage Therapy

in its many forms

Ayurvedic massage is based on the principles of Ayurvedic medicine, which emphasizes the balance between mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic massage typically involves the use of warm herbal oils, which are chosen based on the individual's constitution or dosha. The oils are believed to penetrate deep into the skin, nourishing the tissues and promoting relaxation. Ayurvedic massage also involves the use of pressure points and energy meridians to stimulate the flow of prana or life force throughout the body.

Spiritually, massage has been used across many cultures as a way to connect with the divine or higher power. In some spiritual traditions, massage is believed to be a sacred act that allows the practitioner to channel healing energy to the recipient. Some practitioners may also incorporate prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices into their massage sessions to enhance the spiritual connection.

Metaphysical healing practices often incorporate massage as a way to release energy blockages and promote healing. Massage can be used to balance the chakras, the energy centers in the body, and promote the flow of energy throughout the body. Some metaphysical practitioners may also use essential oils or other tools, such as crystals, during their massage sessions to enhance the healing energy.

Self-massage is another powerful tool for healing and promoting well-being. It can be done anywhere and anytime, making it an accessible and convenient practice. Self-massage can be used to reduce stress, improve circulation, and release tension in the body. Practicing self-massage also allows individuals to connect with their own bodies and promote self-love and self-care.

Thai massage is a traditional form of massage that originated in Thailand. It involves the use of stretching, compression, and acupressure techniques to release tension in the body and promote relaxation. Thai massage is often performed on a mat on the floor, and the practitioner uses their hands, feet, and elbows to apply pressure to specific points on the body.

Oil and dry massages are other popular forms of massage that can be used for a variety of purposes. Oil massages involve the use of warm herbal oils, which are massaged into the skin to nourish and moisturize the tissues. Dry massages, on the other hand, do not use any oils and involve the use of friction, pressure, and other techniques to release tension in the body.

Wood therapy is a newer form of massage that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the use of wooden tools, such as gua sha boards and rollers, to manipulate the skin and underlying tissues. Wood therapy can be used to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote lymphatic drainage.

There are several different types of wood therapy tools that are used for specific purposes. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Gua sha board: This is a flat, handheld tool with a smooth edge that is used to scrape the skin. It is used to promote lymphatic drainage, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.

• Maderoterapia rollers: These are small wooden rollers with different shapes and textures that are used to massage and sculpt the body. They can be used to reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve skin tone, and relax tense muscles.

• Rodillo: This is a small, handheld wooden tool with a series of rollers that are used to massage the face and body. It can be used to reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and promote lymphatic drainage.

• Copa sueca: This is a cup-shaped wooden tool that is used to create suction on the skin. It is used to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

• Tampoco: This is a small wooden tool with a pointed end that is used to apply pressure to specific points on the body. It can be used to relieve tension and promote relaxation.

Divine Productions often has massage therapists on site to share their practice and healing energies with event attendees. We believe it is important to curate a safe and healing space for community members to gather together, accrue knowledge, and indulge in some self-care, perhaps in ways they might never have experienced before. See for yourself and join us at the event. 

Written + Edited by Kaileah + Cassandra

Ayurveda: The Science of Life

“The origin of Ayurveda is considered to be divine, from the Hindu God Brahman who is called as the creator of the universe. It is believed that the creator of the universe passed on this holistic knowledge of healing onto the sages for the well-being of mankind.” 

Ayurveda is a renowned holistic traditional medicine system originating from India over 5,000 years ago. Literally translating to “life science” or “wisdom of life,” this philosophy aims to achieve optimal vitality and balance a person’s consciousness through different therapies connecting the mind, body and soul. 

These therapies include panchakarma (five actions), yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy and dietary changes, emphasizing internal health just as much as external health. 

Modern medicine has a reactive tendency, while ayurvedic lifestyle is an actively preventative care practice, but can also be implemented alongside western medicine to rebuild and recover, after surgery for example. 

There are eight branches (or disciplines) of Ayurvedic medicine: Kaaya Chikitsa (internal medicine), Bhootavidya (psychiatry), KaumarBhritya (pediatrics), Rasayana (geriatrics), Vajikarana (sexology), Shalya (surgery), Shalakya (ophthalmology), and Agada Tantra (toxicology). 

This is one of the oldest naturopathic systems in the world. It views balance as the natural order, imbalance as disorder. Health is order, disease is disorder. It’s all about understanding the nature and structure between the two so as to empower one to heal themselves and others as well. 

It is understood that all diseases stem from an imbalance of energies within the body (read Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss). 

So, through healthy lifestyle interventions and natural therapies, Ayurveda can be helpful to treat allergies, joint pain, diabetes, insomnia, skin problems, back pain, weight, stress symptoms, etc. also emotional wounds and energy levels. 

The Doshas

The principles of Ayurveda acknowledge that the Universe is made up of five elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements are believed to form the three basic body constitutions (doshas) in varying combinations; you usually have one or two dominant doshas in your constitution at a time but all three are always present. The tridoshas control the basic physiological functions of the body and the entire ayurvedic science relates back to these. Understanding yourself and which doshas are prominent in your body constitution is key to utilizing the ayurvedic medicinal practices to the favor of your health and vitality. 

Vata, made up of ether and air, controls our movement - breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, heart pulse, movements of cytoplasm and cell membranes. This is light, airy creative energy and flexibility, but may also manifest in neuroticism, fear and anxiety when out of balance.

Pitta, the fire and water of our metabolic system, gatekeeps our digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, and body temperature. The energy of pitta promotes understanding and intelligence, but out of balance its heat is felt with anger, hatred, perhaps jealousy.

Kapha controls our body structure (bones, muscles and tendons), the earth and water that glues everything together. It supplies water for all bodily systems, lubricates joints, moisturizes skin, and maintains immunity. When in balance kapha is expressed as love and calmness, and is evidently out of balance where there are feelings of attachment, greed and envy, also migraines.

The Four Pillars

Food

Finding the right diet based on your body constitution is the first and most important step in attaining a healthy lifestyle, healing from the inside-out. Your dosha determines which foods suit you best in promoting inner balance. A diet aligned with Ayurveda keeps the body free of toxins and disease, optimizes digestion, and positively impacts metabolism, stamina and the mind. 

-Pitta dosha is pacified with cooling, energizing foods and requires avoiding the use of spices, nuts and seeds.

-Vata dosha favors warm, moist and grounding foods while restricting dried fruits, bitter herbs and raw veggies.

-Kapha dosha limits heavy foods like nuts, seeds and oils in favor of fruits, veggies and legumes. 

Lifestyle

The Ayurvedic lifestyle encourages a healthy daily routine, which can look like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, regularly exercising (refer to dosha), self-massage with use of Ayurveda oils, a daily stillness, meditation and yoga practice. 

The Ayurveda clock flows through the doshas each day breaking it into six four-hour zones (one am/pm for each dosha). Aligning our modern day life with the routine of doshas may prove challenging, but the balanced natural rhythms bring forth good health and vitality. 

-Sunrise (6am-10am) - kapha; cool, heavy, earthy 

-Midday (10am-2pm) - pitta dominates digestions so this is the best time to eat your primary meal of the day 

-Afternoon (2pm-6pm) - vata; light, dry, airy

-Evening (6pm-10pm) - kapha; dull, stable, heavy… wind down slowly

-Bedtime (10pm-2am) - pitta takes over to digest experience/emotions/foods to repair and renew. Resist a second wind from the ignited energy and get some rest!

-Rising (2am-6am) - vata energy brings subtle movement to our mind as our consciousness begins the process of awakening 

Rejuvenators 

Rejuvenation therapy is part of Rasayana, one of the eight clinical elements of Ayurveda medicine and one of the four pillars of an Ayurvedic lifestyle. These are medicinal herbal formulations that work as rejuvenators. An example of one is Chyawanprash, a metabolic turbocharger which is a medicinal blend of 40 odd herbs that supports vitality, energy, stamina, longevity, anti-inflammatory benefits, and freedom from cough and cold. Rejuvenators are typically recommended when the body and mind enter a degenerative period of aging, to boost energy and improve immunity and overall health, staving off specific diseases or infections to give people a second wind in life. 

Supplements

Herbal supplements, essential to Ayurveda medicine, are used to help promote longevity and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They aid in need of anything from detoxification or wanting to reduce stress, lethargy or poor digestion. Important for daily use are cumin (digestive system, immunity, sugar levels, heart conditions), gooseberries, turmeric (inflammation, brain/heart health, immunity), licorice root (inflammation, cools down system, antiseptic properties, digestive/skin conditions), ashwagandha and ginger. 

Ayurveda essentials: 

Know which elements predominate your body to make balanced choices

Keep your mind balanced by getting enough rest and stimulation

Invest the time to understand true nature and which elements rule the mind so you can build an active conscious lifestyle that works with your individual characteristics and strengths for optimal health. 

A deeper understanding and experience with Ayurveda taps you into a bottomless well of intrinsic wisdom on the relationships between cause and effect, immediate and subtle, to heal each unique person. Restore your confidence in your own vitality.

Written by Cassandra

Edited by Kaileah