Nature itself is the best physician.
– Hippocrates
You may have had an experience at a studio in savasana where you feel like you’ve left your body, or you have memories from random moments, or you even see different colours shapes or images. When you rise from an experience like this there is often a residing calm throughout the body. When these sorts of experiences take place physiologically the pineal gland is one of the forces at play.
This article is about a short practice linked at the bottom that uses breathwork to increase the benefits of the pineal gland.
First some quick basics – Breathwork meditation is a mindfulness practice that uses conscious control of the breath. The pineal gland is a small, pinecone-shaped gland located in the center of the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle and production of melatonin. It’s often referred to as the “third eye” due to its association with intuition and spiritual insight. Breathwork can be used to stimulate the pineal gland to build and enhance the pineal gland’s powerful benefits.
Benefits of Pineal Gland-Stimulating Breathwork Meditation
Enhanced Mental Clarity
The pineal gland is associated with increased mental clarity and improved cognitive function. Practicing this breath technique can help clear mental fog and enhance focus and concentration.
Intuition and Insight
We all have those moments – often in retrospect. Where we had a feeling, or an instinct that something was entirely right, or entirely wrong. Some speak of that instinct as one’s inner voice. Stimulating the pineal gland through breathwork can enhance the tone, quality and volume of your inner voice – especially if you repeat the practice every day for a month or two (it’s a short practice!).
Stress Reduction
As with any breathwork meditation 5 minutes or more will begin a measured reduction of stress hormones and markers in the body. This can lead to a calmer mind and a greater sense of inner peace. Reducing stress is THE jam. It’s kind of the answer. Aside from the limitless health benefits when we are less stress life is more fun – we’re better friends, co workers, family members, partners, parents and we’re often better to ourselves.
Better Sleep
The pineal gland regulates our sleep-wake cycle, and by promoting its health, this breathwork technique can lead to improved sleep quality and a more balanced circadian rhythm. Pineal gland health allows our sleep to mean more. If you’re waking up after a night’s sleep feeling tired or groggy this is a great practice for you.
Breathwork Meditation and Trees
So what does any of this have to do with our Sweat for Sustainability movement this month? Solid question my friend ;).
Just like our formidable pineal gland’s power to tune our intuition and insight, nature offers us profound wisdom and clarity. Planting trees aligns us with the natural world, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life.
So many of life’s greatest thinkers, creators, and visionaries sought, and seek nature to bring clarity of thought and purpose.
If you haven’t taken part in a tree planting contribution this year and would like to join in and take a moment to plant a tree with us!
Hope you enjoy the practice. Reach out if you have questions.
Love,
Jess
Jess Robertson is a mom, a bass flute player, a loving cat-mom, dog aunty, and the co founder of Modo Yoga and the New Leaf Foundation.