Ha: The Breath of Life

     Last time, we began our journey towards wellness by describing the physiological actions of the relaxation response and how it helps us to combat every day stressors.  Today, I will give you the first item that you can put in your anti-stress toolbox: deep breathing.  For this we travel to the Pacific and enlist the help of the ancient Hawaiians.

     The website AncientHuna.com tells us that Hawaii is much more than our 50th State, it is also something that dwells within you no matter where in the world that you reside (2014).  This site further relates that the word Hawaii translates to "the supreme life's force that rides on the breath, anytime, anywhere."  Ha is the breath of life (2014).  Having visited the Islands twice in my life, I can state emphatically that I experienced a healing force where one can find a stress free inner peace. After all, island time is just that, island time.

    The downside is that once I returned to the hustle and bustle of city life, I quickly fell into old habits that never seem to die hard.  So, how can we reconnect with the inner peace of our own personal island (whether you have been to Hawaii or not)?  Ancient Huna shows us how. The key is to remember that Ha means breath, and it is in this breath that we will re-establish the "Hawaiian" (Relaxation) Response. The following technique should be used any time we experience stress whether it be from running for our life, taking a test, or just sitting in traffic.

     Let's say for example that you are sitting behind your desk at work and are stressed out from the boss who just dumped an increased work load in your lap.  You can feel your "blood begin to boil" and suddenly you can't think or see straight.  Close your eyes, take a full deep breath through your nose and expand your lungs as much as possible.  Then, exhale through your mouth while whispering the sound "Ha" (the exhale should be twice as long as the inhale cycle of your breath).  Ancient Huna says to either sit in silence, or put on soft music and continue this practice for at least five minutes (2014).  Think about nothing else but retreating to your own personal Hawaiian island.  Feel the life force of the islands that slow down breathing, heart rate, and lower your blood pressure . . .  just say Haaaaaaaaa. 

     There are many forms of deep breathing techniques, and I will leave you with a short video as another example.

 

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References

Meditation: Ha Breathing (2014).  Ancient Huna.  Retrieved from http://www.ancienthuna.com/ha_breathing.htm on 3/19/2014.