It’s the first and last act of our lives. But until recently, learning to wield our breath to alter the way we feel has existed on the fringes of the mainstream. Today, Navy SEALs utilise techniques like “box breathing” (four counts on each inhale and exhale, and four counts pausing the breath at each end) to slow down their breathing rate and deepen concentration.
“When I perform box breathing, even just for five minutes, I am left with a deeply calm body and an alert, focused state of mind,” wrote former Navy SEAL commander and author Mark Divine. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar studied under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught The Beatles transcendental meditation. On Tuesday, Indian Nobel Peace Prize finalist and yoga teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will hold a wellbeing session with NSW parliamentarians including Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Women and Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison, Gosford MP Liesl Tesch and Auburn MP Lynda Voltz.
Ahead of the visit, Shankar said: “Parliamentarians have taken on huge responsibilities for the welfare of people. They too can experience the benefits of breathwork and meditation.” Loading Shankar studied under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught The Beatles transcendental meditation and who is credited with bringing the practice to the Western world.
He added that the “incredible benefits of powerful breathing” techniques could be used to tackle mental health issues around the world. According to the World Health Organisation, one in.
