A Breathing Technique to Overcome Negative Moods

By Swami Kriyananda

	Swami Kriyananda with Tara Gandhi at a recent event in India. He will make a rare U.S. appearance at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco on June 3.

We draw not only air into our body when we breathe, but also vitality, strength, courage. When we exhale, we throw out of our system not only carbon dioxide, but also mental and emotional impurities: discouragement, weakness, despair. When a deliberate mental effort is made to absorb prana from the air that we breathe, then breathing can give us psycho-spiritual benefits as well.

An intimate connection exists between the mind and the breath. When we are emotionally disturbed, the flow of energy in the body is similarly disturbed, and the effect on the breath is instantaneous: The breathing becomes erratic, jerky, rapid. This interesting truth can be turned to good advantage, for as the mind influences the breath, so also the breath influences the mind. Harmful emotional states can be overcome to a large extent by deliberate, deep, harmonious breathing.

The next time you feel moody, depressed, worried, or simply scattered, instead of brooding over why you feel so moody, or worrying over the fact that you worry too much, try breathing your way to better spirits.

Inhale very slowly and deeply.

• Feel that you are inhaling, not merely air, but joy, peace, strength, or courage—whatever positive quality you want especially to affirm.
• Sit very straight as you practice this exercise. (it can be helpful to close your eyes and gaze upward very gently)
• Imagine the breath to be filling not only your lungs, but your whole body, starting at the feet, and culminating at a point midway between the eyebrows.
• Focus the breath at that point, and hold it there as long as you can do so comfortably; feel that you are burning up all negative thoughts in the blaze of divine light.
• As you exhale, do so forcibly, expelling forever from your body and mind the last vestiges of weakness and negativity.
• Repeat this exercise six or twelve times, or as often as needed, to put the forces of darkness to full flight.

(A note of caution: Anyone who is pregnant; has high blood pressure, any heart ailments, or history of heart disease, should not hold their breath or breathe too forcefully. Just breathe smoothly and evenly.)