Breath really isn't that important to my practice. I have a few meditations I do that use breathing as a conduit to push energy out and in. That's about it really.
Breath is very important in my practices, but more in the lines or empowering objects rather than myself. When I had to charge my runes, I gave them the "breath of life" so to speak, which held Galdr as well. There are specific gods that gave life to certain being by breathing in them, so I view that as a way to charge objects, and even create certain homes for spirits to reside. In a more personal level, I also see it as a natural way to expel unwanted energy and taking in surrounding energy. There are techniques I use that send out bad energy by exhaling, and bringing in positive energy by inhaling. The breath, I think, holds just as much power as blood and spit does, so I use it in spells that I view appropriate at that situation.
I'm much the same as Ase; for me (and in my tradition) breathing onto something is akin to bringing it to life by giving it breath. I actually breathe onto all the food I make myself before making it (aka I breathe on the raw forms of the foods), as well as breathing onto different things such as amulets before finishing them.
For me, it's a sense of offering the gift of life. However I don't do this stuff when I'm sick or not feeling well, as to do so would imbue the objects with my illness. Though such would be very curious to see how it would work with curses. :3
I wrote this under my Simpleton account, I think it is relevant.
Technique 1:
Breath of Joy
This is one of my favorites and I can't help, but giggle when I do it. This will require you to stand up and have some space. **WARNING: If you have back pain or anything that might cause you pain when you bend over or causes you pain do not attempt.**
1) First you will raise both arms directly in front of you to about chest height straight in front of you. When you do said motion take a small inhale. Do NOT breath in all the way.
2)Then swing outwardly to each arms respective side. Arms should be slightly in front of chest creating a wide 'V' shape, if it were seen from above. Another small inhale. No filling up yet.
3) Now bring your arms directly above your head. Inhale the rest of the way.
4)Allow yourself to fall forward chest coming toward the ground as you exhale with a loud sigh/grunt.
5) Repeat.
Technique 2:
Letting Go Breath
This technique almost always induces what I would call a 'fuzzy' calmness of mind. This one can be taken from most any position that you find comfy. I usually do two or three in a set of these.
1)Big deep breath in.
2)Hold and breathe in a little more.
3)Big and complete exhalation.
4)Repeat.
Technique 3:
Alternating Nasal Breath
A sitting position is preferred with a lengthened spine if at all possible. It is said to help with balance and I have found this to be so, for me. Please feel free to share how it affects you.
1)Place your right hand just above your nose one the 'third eye'.
2)Close your right nostril with your thumb and breath in through through the left nostril.
3)Release right nostril and close left with pinky and exhale through right nostril.
4) Breathe in through right nostril.
5)Uncover left and cover right. Exhale through left.
6)Repeat.
Technique 4:
Coherent Breathing
My favorite method overall. It helped achieve a deeper meditative state and double my non-assisted meditation time. This should be done in a sitting, preferably cross legged, position. Try to keep the spine as long and tall as possible. The number of seconds can be changed, but the exhale must take as long as the inhale.
1)Breath in for a count of four.
2)Exhale for a count of four.
Technique 5:
Three Part Breathing
The point of this exercise is to work different part of the body, separately, but smoothly. It helps to bring awareness about too. For this technique lying on your back or a sitting position is preferred though I suppose you could try it standing and share what you think. It helps to visualize the breath. Also, when you do this be mindful of your back. Feel if it tightens up or not. If it does try and relax those spots.
1)Bring your breath in and direct your breath into your stomach. Allow your stomach to expand and fill completely. Do not allow your breath to move upward.
2)Exhale and press (not using your hands) your stomach into your spine.
3)Repeat three times.
4)Inhale and draw the breath in filling the stomach and then moving upward and filling the rib cage. (Side note: It is important to go from stomach to ribs)
5)Exhale down through the ribs emptying out and then moving on to the stomach.
6)Repeat 3 times. (Just in case it's a little confusing don't start over with only the stomach again xD)
7)Inhale filling the stomach, into the ribs and then fill the chest.
8)Exhale down starting at the chest, then ribs, and then emptying the stomach.
9)Repeat three times.
Technique 6:
Sun Breath
This breath warms the body, specifically the chest area. It also brings attention to the arms and chest area. Can be done from seated or standing position.
1)Get into position with the spine nice and tall, shoulders back, hands on knees/lap or ground (if standing place them at your sides), and sternum slightly lifted (raise chest upward).
2) Breathe in deeply through the nose into the chest, head should tip back, and hands will sweep up by the sides (make sure arms are extended and to not hit anything.
3)The arms should meet at the top and the end of the inhale.
4)Exhale and allow hands to sweep down. Allow head to tip forward.
5)Repeat as necessary.
Technique 7:
Lion's Breath
This breath while silly and not exactly appropriate for use in public, unless you don't mind staring eyes. This breath helps release tension. Though the first time you will tense into a smile. You can do this from most any position, sitting, standing, or otherwise.
1)Breath in through the nose, preferably deeply.
2)Cross eyes.
3)Allow the tongue to fall out of the mouth, much in the same fashion a heavily breathing dog's does.
4) Exhale with a dull roar, do not constrict the throat. It should sound almost like a pant.
5) Repeat as necessary.
Technique 8:
Wave Breath
This might be a thing already, but it came to me while I was meditating the other day. This breathe helps me to clear my mind of thoughts while also giving me a visual/energy mantra to focus on instead of a word, for more focused meditations. Even, to get into the mind set for a less focused meditation. It can help for as a sort of grounding as well. I suggest doing this laying down first as it is easier to get a handle on it and then you can adjust it as needed for upright positions.
1)First feel water/energy/breathe gathering at the bottom of your feet.
2)Breathe in deeply picture the pooled substance rolling up your body, much in the same way the tide rolls in.
3)Allow it to gather energy, thoughts, feeling, etc. as it rolls upward into your head where it washes the collection into a sphere.
4)Exhale and see the ball flow out on the tide back through your feet preferably into the Earth, or somewhere (Just give it a place to go).
5)Repeat as necessary.
Technique 9:
Don't remember what the breath was called. This breath helps to center yourself and bring attention to the body while calming the mind. This should be done from a seated position with the sternum raised slightly.
1)Started in a seated position, sit nice and tall.
2)Hands upward in a 'Y' shape, palms upward.
3)Deep breath in.
4)Breathe out as you bring your hands down, in front of you, palms down, tips almost touching.
5)Don't rest them in your lap, but allow them to almost touch your lap.
6)Breath in and draw your arms up to the original position by going in the reverse manner of step 4.
Technique 10:
Healing Breath
I find this breath to be both relaxing and useable in healing, but since I wasn't taught this, I won't claim it works all around the board or anything. I just know it helps me. Also, this breath helps with energy manipulation. This breathe can be taken form any position.
1)I suggest grounding first.
2)Breath in and see the air filling your lungs with a white light (or whatever sensory perception/feeling you like for healing).
3)As you breath out draw your attention to the spot you want to heal.
4)Breath in and direct the healing energy to the spot.
5)As you breath out breath the healing energy with negative 'wound' energy out through that body part. (I realize that sounds weird. No the breathe won't come out of say, your thigh, but you can 'feel' it as you visualize the breathe going out through your thigh, even though it is exiting through your mouth.)
6)Repeat as needed.
Excellent guide Mad! I've sometimes use breath mindfulness meditation as part of an energy cleansing in the manner Asetspyre described. Similarly, I visualized breathing energy into sigils to charge them. The idea that breath is giving life to things physical and metaphysical makes sense because we start breathing when we are born and stop when we die.
I make use of controlled breathing when I want to direct my consciousness (perceived energy) to a certain part of my body. I use diaphragmatic breathing instead of rapid breathing that some use. Having taken physiology and done some reading on my own, I'll go into some of the science behind how it works.
Focusing on breathing is a good way to turn the mind away from fleeting mundane thoughts and drop into lower frequency brainwaves, where intense focus is facilitated. Another function of controlled breathing is to change oxygen flow to the brain, thereby shifting it into low frequency theta and delta waves needed for trance work. Rapid hyperventilation carries the risk of syncope. So if you start feeling dizzy, slow down! Controlled deep breathing expels more carbon dioxide thereby raising blood pH (alkilosis). This indirectly causes cerebral vasoconstriction in the brain via parasympathetic activity of central chemoreceptors in the medulla. This in turn results in cerebral hypoxia and brain waves similar to those we have during sleep.
This paper gives more info on the techniques and effects of pranayama, or hatha yoga breathing:
I forgot to mention, when I do chakra meditation I extend my breath when moving energy up or down. A slow inhale to draw energy up my center or a slow exhale to push it down and out my feet.
