Pranayama

Do you know how to breathe? 

Silly question you may say, but most people are disconnected to the power of their breath or the ability to use the full capacity of their breath to assist in their labour and birth. 

In my training as a yoga teacher the breath is an essential part of the practice and as a Doula it is an essential tool in labour especially for pain relief.

Movement and breath go hand in hand. Wherever the breath is restricted in the body is where you will find tension as the energy or prana is not flowing. 

I think we all know that our thoughts impact our breathing and the breath impacts the physical structure of the body. You can’t disconnect the intelligence of the body. It is consistently protecting you and helping you to heal. 

If we are in the fight or flight (sympathic nervous system response) the breath will be quick, short and shallow to get you where you need to go to be safe. Then we need to regulate the breath to switch back into the para sympathic response (rest and digest) to be able to live with ease and harmony.

Easier said than done in this modern world, right?! 

Luckily for us we have had ancient wise sages and yogis test, practice and thankfully pass down the knowledge and wisdom of Pranayama. Prana means life force/energy and Yama means control so in essence we learn to control the breath which clears the physical and emotional obstacles in our body to ultimately free the breath and so the flow of prana - life energy.

Essential tools in labour to help guide you through your labour and birth.

Be Birth offers 1:1 breath work session for birth prep click here to enquire