Neuroscience and the Breath
The breath is often an underestimated super power of mindful medicine and magnificent manifestation. As evolved mammals, we are wired through our myelinated vagus nerve to choose to use our breath consciously as a nervous system regulator. We often forget about this conscious ability to engage with our breath because the body literally breathes and pumps blood without our input through the autonomic nervous system.
Did you know neuroscience has proven that when we remember to consciously slow down our breathing, our thought stream slows down concurrently as we regulate our nervous system? And the reverse is true when we slow our thoughts with mindfulness, our breathing naturally slows down.
Through the 10th cranial vagus nerve highway of communication with simple directed awareness and intention, we can resource our breath as a super power portal into the present moment restoring homeostasis, regulating our nervous system, building resilience and consciously sending an “All is Well” signal, or current of communication, through our body and brain.
Box Breathing Practice to Regulate Your Nervous System
A recent Stanford University stress study published January 16, 2023 shows the super power of the breath in regulating the parasympathetic response of the vagus nerve and creating equilibrium in our neurobiology.
The Box Breathing practice is one of the breathing practices researched and it was found to be a powerful way to regulate our own nervous system.
Try the practice for 5- 7 minutes daily to maintain equilibrium or in the moment when you need to down regulate your body’s stress response. Adding exhales out rounded lips sends an additional calming response through your vagus nerve.
To begin simply exhale for a slow count of 4 out rounded lips as your naval slowly slides back to your spine. Retain the exhale gently for a count of 4. Inhale slow and smooth through your nose filling your body in all directions for a count of 4. Retain the inhale gently for a count of 4. Continue with this breathing pattern. If you are pregnant or have high blood pressure, you can skip the breath retentions if they feel uncomfortable. After a couple of rounds exhaling out rounded lips, your nervous system will respond and you can begin exhaling through your nose, if you wish.
View the January 2023 Stanford University study showing cyclic breathing technique more effective in reducing stress than mindfulness meditation HERE.
Shanti has spent a lifetime connecting with her helping and healing spirit guides while supporting others in communicating with their compassionate guides. Her Spirit Medium readings offer insights, answers and deep connection to spirit guides and power animals. She enjoys sharing her intuitive Spirit Medium readings and connecting others to their Spirit Guides and loved ones who have passed on while receiving answers to questions and insights to life transitions.
Shanti is a magical ceremonialist who has been gathering women together in sacred circles of celebration and leading transformational retreats for over 20 years. Her Stirring the Shakti sisterhood retreats and events inspire women to transform the mundane into magic, celebrate the simply sacred, empower true nature, and fuel the fire of purpose and passion.
She founded her Body Current® modality over 12 years ago as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. She weaves her certifications in Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong, Yoga Therapy, Plant Medicine Clinical Herbalism with advanced trainings in Medical Zang Fu Gong Qigong and Wuji Hundun Qigong, Shamanic Healing. She has facilitated her Body Current curriculum in a variety of 500HR Yoga Teacher Trainings and as faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health as well as the Neurosculpting Institute’s and StarHouse Sacred Arts certification program. To schedule a private session with Shanti visit her Scheduling Link.
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