The notes below are designed to give prospective readers an idea of what to expect from the book, and to aid in making a decision on whether to buy it.
Breathing Book, Donna Farhi
General Notes
Breathing is removing obstacles from both the conscious and unconscious. Makes you feel young without alcohol, caffeine or drugs.
Prana can be very risky if you don’t breathe correctly.
Essential breath between yogi and involuntary. Notice the pause on the exhale. Don’t make it last too long, just notice it.
Start with perception and notice. Where do I feel it? What does it feel like? Try it with open arms. Try it with closed arms. Frequency? Texture? Depth?
Pelvic floor opens with breathing. Pelvis tilts forward on the inhale (creating tiny backbend) and backward on the exhale (flat back).
Hips widen on the inhale and shoulders back (shoulder blades together).
Chest breathing. Keep the abdomen in and let the chest rise.
With forward folds exhale and don’t extend but relax and let gravity do the work.
Try these exercises:
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Put one hand on the belly, one hand on the chest at breast bone. Which one moves more?
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Put one hand on the belly, one hand in the space between ribs on the side. Which one moves more?
Good breathing should be a triangle facing up with the base across the bottom of the ribs. Poor breathing is inverted with the top of the shoulders moving.
3 diaphragms:
1. Throat
2. Chest
3. Pelvis.
Shoulders collapse inward because you are breathing incorrectly.
Inhale comes from the full exhale.
Slow breathing is the key.
Kapalabhat includes rapid exhale with strong abdominal contraction; complete exhale; NOT hyperventilating; breath cleansing. It is the breath of fire. Do NOT do it if pregnant or have a herniated disc.
Notice where in the box you have a different feeling.
Feel inner organs during intimacy and feel them come in and out with the postures.
Breathe together 100% for 5 minutes. Back to back. Holding one another. Belly to belly.
Pause during intimacy to feel the other’s breath. Don’t just move.
Give others time.
Become luminous.
Exhale is most important.