Restoration of breath [workshop/presentation]

.Respiratory symptoms are the primary indicators to any psychophysical conditions of the body. We can easily observe the connections between certain emotional conditions and respiratory symptoms such as emotional stress, anxiety and acute fear. A great number of behavioural activities including speaking and emotional responses are coordinated by respiratory mechanism of the body. Brain studies over the past several decades offer laboratory evidences showing the influence of respiratory functions across the range of cognitive, emotional and physical activities of the organism. The intention of the workshop is to develop a psychophysical application of breath for mental and physical wellbeing for actors, dancers and singers who have need for a non-invasive method to train the stage presence, core physical energy, emotional stability, reduced stress level and cultivating a healthy and positive mental attitude. Although existing training methods have integrated physical technologies such as Yoga and Tai-chi to enhance the psychophysical abilities of the actor, breathing has not been a serious concern in the laboratory tradition of western actor-training as the way it has been conceived in this project. Breath restoration is an ancient biotechnology used in the Hindu and Buddhist meditation practice to work with the mental and physical presence and wellbeing. It is a technique through which breathing is internalised, and once breath is internalised in this way, there will not be any perceptible flow of breathing through the nostrils, but rather the respiratory process will be centralised and defused internally. Found and practiced in the esoteric monastic Saivism of Kerala, the practice goes back to ancient medical knowledge and healing practices in the region.