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Exploring the Essential Features of “The Art of Breathing – Collection – Mary Reilly Nichols”
A foundation in basic breath technique is a vital element in our tool kit for living in the 21st century. Everyone should be equipped with breathing skills which demonstrably lower heart rate, boost energy and improve self-management in stressful situations. Even more, centering breath awareness forms the universal core of meditation methods practiced throughout the globe. With the right understanding, a simple breath easily unlocks the door to the ecstasy of spiritual liberation.
In this course you will survey the posture, physiology, psychology and spiritual significance of breath and breath practices with insights drawn from contemporary science as well as from the world’s wisdom traditions.
Each session includes practical instruction in natural breath-centered meditation supported by both sacred and secular textual sources.
MODULE 1: Breathing for Ultimate Wellness
In module one we will take a look at “bottom up” neuro-messaging with postural alignments for increasing oxygen intake and sending calming messages to the brain and nervous system. We will explore a variety of breath practices to effectively maintain peaceful social- emotional equilibrium and healthy vagal tone. We will survey various yogic breath practices and the metaphysics of breath or prana derived from the origin myths of diverse cultures.
MODULE 2: Breath-Centered Teachings From the Yoga, Buddhist & World Wisdom Traditions
Module 2 will provide a review of the fascinating philosophy and practice of ‘pranayama’ (breath practice used for self-inquiry) from the yoga canon, and an experiential survey of Zen, Vipassana and Tibetan Buddhist teachings on breath awareness. Recap the basic principles of breathing for mindfulness and stress regulation, and practice to make meditation more accessible and enjoyable.
MODULE 3: Tantric Breath Practices
In module three we encounter the enlightening breath-centered methods described in sacred Tantric contemplative teachings. An introduction to the poets, seers and texts of Kashmiri Shaivism, such as the Shiva Sutras and Shree Vijnana Bhairava, yields a treasury of simple yet profound gestures of attention which draw the practitioner into the experiential contact with the infinite known as non-dual consciousness.
MODULE 4: Themes from the Kularnava Tantra – Breath as Your Inner Teacher
A deep dive into a specific text, the “Kularnava Tantra” which offers breath technique as the means to meditative non-dual awareness. We will look at a map of the “pranic sheath” and the breath-arising mantra, “Ham-Sah” (or So’ham) will be the centerpiece of this final module.
Students who take this course will:
Improve breathing habits for wellness, energy and mood management
Develop best postural alignments for breath practices
Explore breath techniques for entering and sustaining deeper meditation
Discover teachings on breath from world wisdom traditions.
Learn how to effect the neurological benefits of ‘vagal nerve tone’
Use breath in action to establish present moment awareness
Experience the spiritual ecstasy of Tantric teachings on breath awareness
Author
Mary Reilly Nichols
Mary Reilly Nichols, Director of Nalanda Institute’s Yoga, Mind & Spirit teacher training program has been teaching yoga for over 30 years. She teaches yoga from the perspective of non-duality offered in the Upanishads, Advaita Vedanta, as well as in the Tantric methods of Kashmiri Shaivism and Kundalini Yoga. She holds a BA in anthropology from Harvard University, is a devoted student of Muktananda, and completed five years of residency in meditation ashrams in both India and the US. Currently, Nichols teaches stress management in psychiatric settings and is involved in ongoing research on the mind/body benefits of yoga and meditation.
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