Empowering Teens to Develop their Infinite Potential
What is a Soma Breath Practice?
It is meditation, guided by music and rhythmic breathing:
During meditation, we connect with love, joy and gratitude. We open new doors and manifest healing and transformation. We connect with our truth and ground into our most soulful self. Meditations heal our nervous system, reduce stress, and develop our ability to remain centered and grounded in our truth when life presents challenges. Through meditation and the breath, we become our own healer and realize our best selves.
It is breath management for health and longevity, replacing harmful breath patterns with healing ones:
Through various breath practices, and by using the breath during movement, such as yoga, isometric exercises, and conscious somatic movement, we retrain our breath to increase CO2 tolerance, lower blood pressure, increase vasodilation, improve heart and lung health, strengthen and tone muscles, ligaments and tendons, and more.
It is dance and play!
We heal through joy and movement. Soma includes dance, shaking, and yoga designed to create a state of joy and freedom where we break through limiting beliefs.
Visualization, Rhythmic Breathing, Breath Holds
Visualization
Visualization is used to guide meditators to release anxiety and stress and to create change and a space for healing. It is also used for manifesting a new way of being, or a new opportunity. We practice creating feelings of gratitude and joy, teaching our DNA and our bodies that we are safe, whole and healthy. Many have used Soma Breath Meditations to heal themselves of trauma, physical pain, and engage in a happy, healthy lifestyle and make better choices. Others use it to connect with their higher selves and the divine. It is also used it to improve focus, improve physical performance, and to access inner guidance.
Breathing
We use many different breath rhythms to connect, relax, release and heal. During meditations, we breath in through the nose and out through the mouth in a gentle rhythmic pattern. Along with the music, you will hear a count to guide you. In some cases, we will breath out for longer than we breath in, using a 2:4 or 4:8 rhythm, to create a relaxed state and access the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps us reduce inflammation, relieve anxiety and stress, and access deep healing states. In other tracks we will use the 4:4 rhythm, breathing in for 4 and out for 4 to create coherence. Creating coherence in the heart, mind, and body increases focus, resets the brain. If we are manifesting or building energy, we may breath in and out at a faster pace, perhaps breathing in and out of the mouth using a 2:2 or 1:1 rhythm. In all cases, you are guided with counting, music, and visualization.
Breath Holds
After each round of rhythmic breathing, we offer a breath hold on the exhale, and then on the inhale. During Baya Kumbhaka, you empty your lungs for 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes. You will be guided to take sips of air as needed,. After Baya Kumbhaka, we engage in Antara Kumbhaka, which is a breath retention with full lungs. If you choose not to engage in breath holds, you simply breath at your own rhythm. While breath holds build CO2 tolerance and allow us to access deep healing states, each person must engage at their level of comfort and can choose not to engage in the breath hold or take as many sips of air as needed. When working with teens, breath holds are not offered until I know a teen well and am confident that they are appropriate.
Guidelines for Breathwork and Contraindications for Certain Conditions
All participants can participate in the visualization and rhythmic breathing, and breath holds are safe, and beneficial, for most individuals. Breath holds and faster rhythms (2:2 or 1:1) are contraindicated for people in the following situations:
- Pregnancy first trimester
- Detached retina or glaucoma
- High blood pressure (not controlled with medication)
- Cardiovascular disease including angina, previous heart attack or stroke.
- Diagnosis of aneurysm in the brain or abdomen.
- Uncontrolled thyroid conditions and diabetes.
- Epilepsy / seizures.
- Respiratory issues (COPD II or III)
- Any other medical, psychiatric or physical conditions which would impair or affect ability to engage in any activities that involve intense physical and/or emotional release.
Additionally, some participants with the following conditions should see their doctor to gain approval for breath holds and faster rhythms:
- Asthma (although most people with asthma report improvement in their condition)
- Tinnitus
- Hernias
- Prior diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or previous psychiatric condition.
- Hospitalization for any psychiatric condition or emotional crisis within the last 10 years.
You may breath rhythmically, or breath at your own pace instead of doing the breath holds and faster rhythms.
Breath work should be done under the following conditions:
- With an empty stomach (unless you are doing 4:8 without breath holds)
- Sitting or lying down (try to find a comfortable position where your spine is straight)
- Do not practice while driving or in water
Medical Disclaimer: Active breathwork is a powerful healing modality and although usually a deeply relaxing and enjoyable process, it can result in certain specific physiological changes in the body, as well as intense physical and emotional release. Please be aware that sessions can cause and are not limited to:
- Tingling
- Dizziness
- Trembling, shaking or other physical sensations
- Emotional experiences
- Experience of energy moving through your body
- Visualizing color and light
- A connection with one's higher self, or unity consciousness
We are NOT medical doctors or a medical institution
Nothing about breath work with Infinity Rhythms, LLC and Aiyana Pendleton should be taken as medical advice. We may offer suggestions regarding physical and mental health — in the form of suggested exercises, daily practices, etc. — but such information is intended for educational and informational purposes, and we do not profess legitimate medical expertise. Furthermore, no recommendations or suggestions (whether specific or generic) should be regarded as medical diagnosis or treatment. For qualified advice regarding medical questions, please consult medical professionals. As with all physical activities, application of active breath work and any related practices entails some degree of physical and mental risk. Be cognizant of your own capabilities and limits, both physical and mental, and act accordingly. If in doubt always consult with your healthcare practitioner before taking part in an active breath work session.