Transformational Breath
The Breath of Life
by Jeffrey Pufahl

Without breath there is no life. It is as simple as that and yet many of us take how we breathe for granted. Our breath is the Energy of life. It provides all-important oxygen to the body, unites and deepens the mind-body connection, and strengthens our ties to all that lives. If you are like most people, your breathing pattern is not all it could be. Too many people breathe in shallow and constricted patterns, cutting off the full benefit of their Breath, never realizing the potential they are wasting for a more healthful life and greater peace of mind.

The tradition and knowledge of breath work is found in all meditative practices, marshal arts, and ancient Eastern philosophies. Today our Western culture is beginning to understand what Eastern thinking has known and practiced for centuries-the restorative and life-enhancing power of the breath. There are numerous breath techniques and schools of thought, but the most comprehensive one from a physical and mental standpoint is called Transformational Breath.

What is Transformational Breathing?

Developed by Judith Kravitz in the early 90s, The Transformational Breath is a dynamically powerful technique of consciously directed breathing which resolves stress, increases energy, and brings greater joy and balance to life and relationships. Transformational Breathing is a self-empowering process with a trained facilitator serving as coach and guide. Although therapists are some of the people utilizing it in their practices, Transformational Breathing is not therapy. Instead, it is advanced technology which takes us beyond mind into the transpersonal realm. Because the technique works so deeply, you may accomplish in one session what ordinarily could have taken years.

What Does It Do?

Physically, it relieves tension, detoxifies, and greatly increases energy.

Emotionally, it integrates repressed patterns, freeing one to experience new levels
of love and joy.

Mentally, limiting beliefs are dissolved. Peace is achieved and creativity is expanded.

Spiritually, one's awareness of the connection to Source is solidified. Many report mystical experiences of great beauty which bring insight and greater clarity to their lives by providing access to higher states of consciousness.

What is a Transformational Breathing Session Like?

Each session is a unique self-healing adventure. For approximately one hour you will lie down, relax, and engage in deep, connected breathing (continuous breathing with no pauses). You will be taught how to open restricted breathing patterns so your entire respiratory system is utilized. You will keep your awareness on the feelings and energy patterns in your body as you breathe. Integration is often very gentle and joyful and at times intense. Toning and affirmations are used to release fears and clear stuck energy; once freed up, breathing becomes an effortless joy. It is not uncommon to feel as though we are being breathed by waves of ecstatic joy as we bring more and more life force into our bodies. The result is a deep state of relaxation and peace.

How are Repressed Emotions and Traumas Permanently Resolved?

Most people restrict their breathing to avoid experiencing unpleasant feelings. By holding our breath, we de-activate feelings. Keeping them repressed (held in the subconscious) requires a tremendous ongoing amount of energy and creates chronic tension in our bodies. These repressed feelings also unconsciously affect our behaviour, often in limiting, self-sabotaging ways.

Transformational Breathing integrates the wounded aspects of self into one functioning whole. It produces an entrainment effect in the electromagnetic field which allows dense, lower vibrational patterns (such as repressed emotions) to be transformed into a higher vibrational energy. Through this process, trauma is permanently cleared from our being-without the need for conscious processing of each accumulated hurt. Old patterns are restructured through the breath, the true inner nature reveals itself, and we move easily beyond our previous limitations to lead a more joyful and healthy life.

Areas of Effective Therapeutic Use with Transformational Breathing: pain control, chronic fatigue, heart condition, infertility, phobias, TMJ, digestive problems, stress, panic attacks, depression, PMS, birthing, headaches, apnea, respiratory ailments/asthma, addictions and recovery.
For more information visit www.transformationalbreathing.com.

Jeffrey Pufahl has been studying and practicing yoga for 15 years. He has taught throughout Mexico and Thailand and studied Thai Yoga Massage at the Sunshine Institute in Chaing Mai. He came in contact with the Transformational Breath Foundation while teaching yoga in Baja, California. After the life-changing seminar in San Jose del Cabo, he began a 2-year program of study and was certified by the foundation in 2006. Jeffrey is one of very few Transformation Breath (TB) facilitators in Canada and travels all over the world with the foundation. He is pleased to bring this unique work to Saskatchewan and loves to enjoy his summers by the river in Saskatoon. He is also a professional singer and theatre artist. To contact him call
(306) 262-0461, email: jeffpuf@sasktel.net, and see the Directory of Services ad on page 23 of the 14.1 May/June issue of the WHOLifE Journal.