Using the Breath for Healing IC

When in between the painful bladder flares of the IC bladder pain syndrome there are things that you can do to help support your recovery as you move along  One of the more important techniques are yogic breathing exercises

Moving Biological Energy

As I’ve discussed in the past you can either see your body as a collection of molecules or as an energy field  This is because you simultaneously coexist as both  From E=mc2 we know this to be the case but for many reasons the current molecular biological model has failed to embrace this fact primarily because you need a trusted model of healing that can guide you in world of energy science healing

The energy science model of Ayurveda is one such model of healing that sees the body as an energy field  Ayurveda comes from the vast yoga discipline and is actually the healing arm of that tradition

When you do yoga you are actually practicing energy science medicine because these postures realign, redistribute, rebalance the body’s energy field over time  In essence you are moving energy into places of stagnant energy which is the primary reason for pain

The primary reason for pain from an energy science point of view is poor flow or stagnant energy in the body

Breathing Techniques Can Do Wonders

There are 3 breath techniques that anyone interested in healing IC can use to aid and support their recovery  From a molecular point of view these techinques seem weird but when you know that you are doing these to redistribute energy in the body then it becomes clear why you are doing them

1 Kapalabhati(KB) is a breath technique of active exhalation and passive inhalation  This has high marks for healing IC because clears toxicity which I talked about last week  It restores the normal directional flow of energy in the pelvis and helps in the restoration of colonic health which is a major player in IC and bowel dysfunction  KB tones the digestive system and improves digestive power, brings about alertness, clears the energy channels and helps move stagnant energy along, energizes the brain, massages the heart(cardiovascualar import), stimulates blood production, heals the prostate, stimulates the ovaries, and balances hormones, and normalizes body weight  You can do this sitting on the front edge of a chair   Here’s a video demonstrating KB  Start with 100 and gradually over weeks increase to 1000  Some call this the breath of fire because it increases body heat  But because it doesn’t disturb the Pitta energy pattern it is considered OK for Pitta

2  Forceful alternate nostril breathing   A variation of nadi shodana or alternate nostril breathing, this breath technique is done forcefully with the right arm up if possible  So the fingers of the right hand are positioned such that the pinky and ring finger close off the left nasal passage and the thumb closes off the right nares   Begin by breathing in through the left nares and the same time closing off the right nostril with the thumb  Exhale through forcefully through the right nostril, closing off the left nares  Inhale right nostril, then forcefully exhale out left nares  This is one round  Start with 10 rounds and gradually work up to 50

This breath technique is like giving yourself an energy bath as it cleanses the entire energy body  It merges left and right brain hemispheres and unfolds by and by a blissful state of being  Physiologcially it reduces depression, eliminates migraines, clears the sinuses, brings vitality to the abdominal organs, strengthens the immune system, decreases cholesterol, induces contentment and serenity

3 Bhramari is translated as bumblebee breath and is done by placing the index fingers in the ear canals, closing the eyes, taking in a deep breathtthrough the mouth, and making the sound of a bee  This calms the physiology and hence the bladder in IC, is excellent of osteoporosis, induces good sleep, improves the function of the thyroid and parathryroid glands, harmonizes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems  Start with 10 rounds and go to 17  No more than 17

In a couple of months I’ll do a webinar for the community on these techniques as well as other yoga poses that are beneficial for the IC bladder pain syndrome  Until then you can get started and be ready for the practice in April

All the best in your healing journey     DB