Éiriú-Eolas - Breathing Program

[Seamus]

-The question I'd like to ask is : What is the proper way to deal with emotions?
After reading and searching in the forum, as far as I could understand from how to deal with it is:
Acknowledge it, Feel every bit of it, Express it, and Work your way to know what is triggering them so you can be aware of the program and change it? Is it like that? Is there more than that?
(So in example. If I'm feeling anger, first is recognize that I'm angry. Second, feel it don't run away from it.Third,express it like hitting the pillow , or shouting. Fourth, think what is making me angry and what triggers that emotion, in which situation I feel like that. And finally be aware of whenever I'm feeling angry and in which moment?. Is is like that?)

I find it helpful to understand what it is that I am really angry about. I have found that when I honestly acknowledge the source of my anger, the anger dissipates and I am left feeling sad.

You may find advice, given to me on the forum some time ago,useful or not.

Hi Trevrizent:

I hardly consider myself an “expert” in this area, and can only pass on the techniques that have “worked” for me in this area over the years, FWIW.

I began intensely “work on” my own emotions long before I formally undertook “the Work”. At the time I was very immersed in the “Seth” material, and found much of value there to help me. Seth spoke of people being afraid, almost “phobic” of their emotions, resulting in one’s emotions getting “stuck”. He described emotions as being naturally “fluid”, and emphasized that if allowed to run their course unimpeded, they have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and will naturally “dissipate”. The problem comes when that cycle is impeded by fears and/or beliefs of the person experiencing the emotion, by the person’s low tolerance of emotional pain, what psychologists would call “affect tolerance”. As I came to understand it, the keys to letting an emotion fully cycle and ultimately dissipate are:

• Adopt a neutral, non-judgmental attitude t the emotion, seeing it as the equivalent of a physical pain or sensation. In other words, do not view the emotion as “negative” or “positive”, or yourself as “bad”, “pitiful”, or “out of control” for experiencing the emotion.
• Recognize that the emotion is NOT YOU, merely an energy that is moving and expressing itself THROUGH you. Try not to identify with it, try to let a part of you impassively observe it even as you are fully feeling it.
• Concentrate on fully FEELING the emotion, all the while recognizing that you will NOT get “stuck” in the emotion, nor will you DIE or be physically harmed by it.

A technique that I regularly used at the beginning of my work in this area, when I felt the most overwhelmed and frightened by the emotions I was releasing from my body, was to adopted a physical posture that would really allow the emotion to MOVE THROUGH my body and really allow me to FEEL IT. For me it was one of two positions: either lying spread-eagled on the floor (face up or down), or in the same position against a flat wall. For some reason this really helped me to FEEL and/or visualize the emotions moving throughout my entire body, peak in intensity, then exit my body into the ether.

An analogy that worked for me was that of the athlete who seeks to increase his physical endurance, so that he can perform at a higher level. He disciplines himself to feel the physical pain of taxing his muscles, knowing that the pain will decrease over time as his muscles grow stronger. In the same way, I came to view the pain of fully experiencing my emotions as “temporary”, and would remind myself that over time my “tolerance” (“affect tolerance”) of emotional pain would increase, with the result that each emotional “cycle” would gradually become “shorter” and more efficient, as my emotional “muscles” became stronger.

But the most important thing I got from the Seth material, and my experiences in this area, was the absolute necessity of recognizing that your emotions are not YOU, cannot harm you, and will eventually dissipate if allowed to fully “cycle”; and that to impose any kind of ‘value judgment” on them, can only impede that cycle.

Dunno if this makes any sense to you, in terms of what you are experiencing. Take it for what it’s worth.

Thanks for this Trevrizent. FWIW, this quote is helpful to me and similar to my current understanding. Here are a few more things that have been helpful for me to keep in mind, which may or may not be useful for anyone else. These excerpts come from The Art of Living, a text based upon a talk given by Mr. S.N. Goenka in Berne, Switzerland.

...whenever any [emotion] arises in the mind, physically two things start happening simultaneously. One is that the breath loses its normal rhythm. We start breathing harder whenever negativity comes into the mind. This is easy to observe. At a subtler level, a biochemical reaction starts in the body, resulting in some sensation. Every [emotion] will generate some sensation or the other within the body.

This presents a practical solution. An ordinary person cannot observe abstract defilements of the mind—abstract fear, anger or passion. But with proper training and practice it is very easy to observe respiration and body sensations, both of which are directly related to mental defilements.

Respiration and sensations will help in two ways. First, they will be like private secretaries. As soon as a negativity arises in the mind, the breath will lose its normality; it will start shouting, “Look, something has gone wrong!” And we cannot scold the breath; we have to accept the warning. Similarly, the sensations will tell us that something has gone wrong. Then, having been warned, we can start observing the respiration, start observing the sensations, and very quickly we find that the negativity passes away.

By learning to remain balanced in the face of everything experienced inside, one develops detachment towards all that one encounters in external situations as well. However, this detachment is not escapism or indifference to the problems of the world. Those who regularly practice [the work] become more sensitive to the sufferings of others, and do their utmost to relieve suffering in whatever way they can—not with any agitation, but with a mind full of love, compassion and equanimity. They learn holy indifference—how to be fully committed, fully involved in helping others, while at the same time maintaining balance of mind. In this way they remain peaceful and happy, while working for the peace and happiness of others.

 

[Graalsword]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

 

[Gawan]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

Just wondering, maybe you are now breathing/singing with and from your belly? Cause when the voice "comes" from the belly it is fuller and more effective.

My two cents.

 

[Jefferson]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

Hi Graalsword,

I wouldn't put myself in the "musician and singers" category, but I do like to sing, and have sang in choirs in the past, with my children, and also on my own (with the odd karaoke sing along!) and I have noticed that a few pipe breaths at the beginning make a difference. Also just paying attention sometimes to my exhale (belly-in) and inhale (belly-out) during a song improved my ability to hit some notes and produce the sound I desired. I remember asking one professional singer about breathing and briefly described pipe-breathing, and he kind of looked at me, smiled and said "just ride the bike, don't think about it"... easy for him to say when breathing properly is likely akin to riding a bicycle for him :D

When I think about it, singing (with the proper breathing using pipe breath to "prime" me) is a mini-EE session for me.
May help to make the technique more of a habit.

Jefferson

 

[Aiming]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

Just wondering, maybe you are now breathing/singing with and from your belly? Cause when the voice "comes" from the belly it is fuller and more effective.

My two cents.

FWIW, I've also observed that since doing EE my singing voice has become fuller. And I think it makes sense that proper breathing improves the singing voice. As Aragorn has described a few times, an essential element of learning to sing is to learn to breathe properly.

 

[aragorn]

[...] I remember asking one professional singer about breathing and briefly described pipe-breathing, and he kind of looked at me, smiled and said "just ride the bike, don't think about it"... easy for him to say when breathing properly is likely akin to riding a bicycle for him :D

Sigh, that's just the problem with most singing teachers - at least in our country, they don't know the "mechanics of the bike"! I think that statement you mentioned shows some serious ignorance by the teacher. We are all very different and have different problems (e.g. through physical/psychological trauma, imitating the breathing habits of our parents) and the teacher should educate herself enough to: 1) Recognize the problems of the student 2) How to help the student reach optimal breathing

I've had lessons with many different teachers, and not one of them could explain scientifically or otherwise what happens during correct breathing (for singing) and/or how to properly train it. Most of the teachers have a very subjective look on the matter: they've somehow learned a sufficient way to breathe (or they're born with it), but they can't explain what they're doing! Looking back, some of their explanations are laughable - they had no idea what they were talking about. And what might work for the teacher might not suit the student (read: different body structures, tensions etc).

So, I had to gather the pieces of the puzzle myself and also consult foreign teachers, physiotherapists and my teacher in body work. I think I've the main pieces but there are still some pieces missing ;) I'm working on it...

As what goes for the benefits of EE regarding singing, you can be sure that it helps! Some time ago I did a post about this on the EE forum:

Great help for singers!
by Aragorn » Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:13 pm

I just wanted to tell you how very happy I am to have found the Eiriu Eolas program! As a professional opera singer and singing teacher I'm always seeking out new ideas and methods to improve singing technique. As all you singers out there know, correct and relaxed breathing is the key to good singing. And all the teachers out there have their own view of how you should breathe and support the tone. After many years of struggling with these issues and reading about the body-mind connection (e.g. Alexander Lowen), I finally realized that the most important thing in order to obtain free breathing and a total "flow" of the tone is to purge your mind and body from anxiety, trauma and stress. It seems that our body and muscles store traumatic memories and happenings and this so called 'armouring' starts to grow, making your body rigid. And I suspect we all have these armourings, more or less. I used to have a lot, no wonder singing and breathing was a struggle for me!

Anyway, having realized this connection I started some years ago to seek out various breathing and meditation courses and exercises. I had some success with a couple of courses like yoga, but somehow they felt too 'mechanical' plus I wanted to be able to do these exercises on my own, whenever I felt like it (I never got to the point that I could do yoga on my own). And the mental releasing wasn't really happening.

Well all this changed when I found this EE program, recommended by a friend. To make it short, this was exactly what I was looking for! A versatile and effective breathing program that also had this meditation and releasing aspect to it. And doing the program with guidance from the audio files really lowers the threshold of doing it-even when you are totally not up to do any 'meditation', you just switch on your player and start doing!

And the effects on my singing? Well, the benefits have been many. My control of the diaphragm has definitely improved hugely. I don't get that feeling anymore while performing, that I have to keep the breathing down or force the inhaled air to reach the bottom, all this happens naturally. I believe this is partly from just doing the exercises regularly, but mostly because my mind is calmer and I don't feel any suspension or stress before or during a performance! This change didn't happen over night of course. During the couple of months I've been doing this many traumas and stressing memories have come up making me feel sad etc. But once these things have been 'dug out' I feel that they are released forever, freeing up my body too.

So to sum it up: thank you for this excellent program which combines breathing and psychological releasing techniques. I warmly recommend this to every singer out there. To be simultaneously able to work on your breathing AND your mind (making it possible to perform without anxiety) is truly unique.

Aragorn

 

[Galaxia2002]

I have about one month without experience zone out. I believe that in part this is because I have some anticipation that it ocurrs and I also concentrate fully in the phrases of the prayer, not give chance to let me go. I wanted to know if people that have a lot of time doing the program comes to a stage when zone out isn't common??

 

[herondancer]

I have about one month without experience zone out. I believe that in part this is because I have some anticipation that it ocurrs and I also concentrate fully in the phrases of the prayer, not give chance to let me go. I wanted to know if people that have a lot of time doing the program comes to a stage when zone out isn't common??

That zoning out would come in cycles would make sense imo. We go through cycles of feelings, energy levels, attention span, etc. so why not this. When learning something new you would have a period of absorbing information, then processing it. I've had weeks here and there of zoning, followed by longs stretches of none.

The most important thing is so approach your meditation without expectations, and trust that you are getting what you need in each session. For me, sometimes paying particular attention to the breathing patterns in the first three exercises will bring some physical healing. Then concentrating on the prayer has different effects at different times. It's an adventure, and that much more fun if you approach it that way, :)

 

[Graalsword]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

Just wondering, maybe you are now breathing/singing with and from your belly? Cause when the voice "comes" from the belly it is fuller and more effective.

My two cents.

FWIW, I've also observed that since doing EE my singing voice has become fuller. And I think it makes sense that proper breathing improves the singing voice. As Aragorn has described a few times, an essential element of learning to sing is to learn to breathe properly.

In my case it became more powerful and clear.

Answer to Legolas: Yes I know it is not the same to make from the belly than otherwise. But I already had sung from the belly, though not using pipe breath. And there is a difference. Maybe it has to do with how the air passes through vocal chords

 

[Gawan]

For those who are musicians and singers: did you notice any improvement in your vocal performance since doing EE?

I have been noticing that my voice and vocal performance when singing improved. And when I do some pipe breath before singing it makes it better than the average breathing and vocal excercises taught for singing.

Just wondering, maybe you are now breathing/singing with and from your belly? Cause when the voice "comes" from the belly it is fuller and more effective.

My two cents.

FWIW, I've also observed that since doing EE my singing voice has become fuller. And I think it makes sense that proper breathing improves the singing voice. As Aragorn has described a few times, an essential element of learning to sing is to learn to breathe properly.

In my case it became more powerful and clear.

Answer to Legolas: Yes I know it is not the same to make from the belly than otherwise. But I already had sung from the belly, though not using pipe breath. And there is a difference. Maybe it has to do with how the air passes through vocal chords

That's interesting and even better, when you profit from it. Maybe pipebreathing warms up vocal chords could be an explanation.

 

[Jefferson]

[...] I remember asking one professional singer about breathing and briefly described pipe-breathing, and he kind of looked at me, smiled and said "just ride the bike, don't think about it"... easy for him to say when breathing properly is likely akin to riding a bicycle for him :D

Sigh, that's just the problem with most singing teachers - at least in our country, they don't know the "mechanics of the bike"! I think that statement you mentioned shows some serious ignorance by the teacher. We are all very different and have different problems (e.g. through physical/psychological trauma, imitating the breathing habits of our parents) and the teacher should educate herself enough to: 1) Recognize the problems of the student 2) How to help the student reach optimal breathing

I've had lessons with many different teachers, and not one of them could explain scientifically or otherwise what happens during correct breathing (for singing) and/or how to properly train it. Most of the teachers have a very subjective look on the matter: they've somehow learned a sufficient way to breathe (or they're born with it), but they can't explain what they're doing! Looking back, some of their explanations are laughable - they had no idea what they were talking about. And what might work for the teacher might not suit the student (read: different body structures, tensions etc).

So, I had to gather the pieces of the puzzle myself and also consult foreign teachers, physiotherapists and my teacher in body work. I think I've the main pieces but there are still some pieces missing ;) I'm working on it...

As what goes for the benefits of EE regarding singing, you can be sure that it helps! Some time ago I did a post about this on the EE forum:

Hi Aragorn!

I thought of you when I posted yesterday as I know from your previous posts that you are a music/singing teacher and professional singer and I considered suggesting to Graalsword to check out your posts (and you gave your thoughts even without me asking, somehow I knew you would pick up on this discussion I enjoyed your POTS interpretation using Amazing Grace tune btw.

About that professional singer I mentioned above: I had that same thoughts you mentioned when he kind of brushed me off when I started to talk about the physiology of breathing, and I brought the topic up with him quite tactfully. I inquisitively approached him, mentioned a few things that I was watching his belly when he sang, and asked a question about breathing, that was not 'testy' or threatening to him in any way. He is a professional cantor at the state church, and he mainly sings spiritual music. I think because he holds a strong conservative almost fundamentalist belief system, there is a shyness to approach breathing and singing from too analytical point of view as singing is considered a Gift of God, and possibly the attitude may be that adding too much rationality to it may be trying to unravel God's work...that is where the ignorance you mentioned may be coming from in this case. I remember him telling me that the only books that are really only needed in a family are the bible and the confessional books of Martin Luther! However, even if I did not know this professional singer's background, attitudes, and belief system (as I have had spiritual discussions with him before) he still displays ignorance as you said. This is where the singers of this planet could really do a service to mankind, to share about breathing properly, as it is much more than just performing well.

Keep up the good work Aragorn, an online video of you demonstrating singing technique with full breathing mechanics intro would be an excellent start! :)

Jefferson

 

[Mrs.Tigersoap]

Here is my long overdue EE report:

Zoning out is really rare these days, and when I actually do, it's different than before: I used to be 'unplugged', now it feels like dreaming, seeing images or scenes, or having thoughts I only remember for a few seconds and quickly forget.
For a while, post EE was sometimes difficult as I would be more 'on edge' and tended to be in a bad mood afterwards. But this has passed and now it is rather the opposite: I feel light, happy and even mischievous.

We still do the full session during the day, since at night it tends to interfere with my quick falling asleep. I'm usually too energetic afterwards.

 

[Alada]

Zoning out is really rare these days, and when I actually do, it's different than before: I used to be 'unplugged', now it feels like dreaming, seeing images or scenes, or having thoughts I only remember for a few seconds and quickly forget.

Similar here, 'zoning out' seems less common, or when it does happen its in the latter stages of EE during the meditation. Last week during meditation there was a very strong impression of being in a dream like state, of watching a story or scene unfold. But as happens with dreams so often I can't remember the content either.

As a side note, last night I was dreaming of doing breathing exercises in my sleep. From the little I remember it was bit like the faster part of beatha but with some sort of vocal part to it too.

 

[Wisteria]

A few days ago, while reciting the POTS before sleep (and concentrating on the third eye) I became overwhelmed by a wash of blue and a feeling of floating in space. Actually, it wasn't merely "a feeling", it was something a lot more substantial and infinitely more difficult to describe. I don't think the experience lasted very long, but it is hard to tell, because it had definite 'timeless' quality about it also.

It was so wonderfully serene and magical. I keep thinking about it, and hoping that I return again soon.

 

[Mountain Crown]

[quote author=Mrs. Tigersoap] now it feels like dreaming, seeing images or scenes, or having thoughts I only remember for a few seconds and quickly forget.[/quote]

[quote author=Alada] Last week during meditation there was a very strong impression of being in a dream like state, of watching a story or scene unfold. But as happens with dreams so often I can't remember the content either.[/quote]

Frequently I’m aware of activity during a zone but instantly lose memory of it. I also experience visions without zoning completely and am able to recall them.