© Ingrid Benning 2024
Central Column Breathing
Stand or sit with your spine straight and your body balanced. Do not
cross your legs if you are sitting on the floor unless you are in the lotus
position or a “cross-legged” posture. Begin by being aware of the
rhythm of your breathing and let it slow down.
Now draw the breath in as though it comes from just above the crown
of your head; draw it down through the centre of your body. Change to
the out-breath at a point which feels natural to you and breathe out as
though right down and through your legs and into the earth. Breathe in
this way about five times (i.e. five in/out breath = equals one
sequence).
Now, on the alternate breath sequence, begin to breathe up from the
earth, through the centre of your body, letting the out-breath go out
through the crown of your head.
Continue to breathe in this way, without straining or forcing for about
five minutes. Always end on the downward breath sequence, repeating
it in this direction more that once if you wish.
Feel the balance of your body, resume normal breathing and pause for
a few moments before meditating, proceeding to a guide journey or
chakra exercise, or returning to your everyday tasks.
Book 2, 1998, p.17
Appendix
