Prayer is our first language. It is that breathful cry out of the womb that sparked the knowing of sacred reciprocity in the heart. Our every breath carries a prayer. Breath is the original medicine as it weaves into every aspect of life, and we cannot live into our prayers without our breath.
The prayer is what pulls us through the storms of life and reawakens innate belonging from its slumber, as every prayer is answered. How we recognize those answers is part of the awakening.
Every spiritual and indigenous tradition lives by prayer. The prayer gets the seeker through that last harrowing moment of the vision quest; just when she thinks she cannot go on, a window of faith opens and another feather for her cap drifts in on that one sliver of a life giving breeze. We hold onto the feet of the Guru, of God, to get us through by way of prayer, faith, and the sacred language of the devotional heart.
It’s why we sing, dance, chant, breathe deep in moments of tension- to connect with a timeless lexicon that has guided the human soul back into union, our true home.
Prayer is non denominational. And it is the language of Christ.
Every individual carries a unique prayer in their heart. It is a conglomerate of lives lived, ancestry and innate memory of belonging. The ability to learn your personal prayer language, how it travels in the body and the voices that try to imposter this prayerful exchange between you and Life, grants the wisdom of true freedom.
Much stands in the way of our deep fellowship with Life. The separation wound creates an illusion of division, within self and with other –
Breathwork is a psychosomatic, psychospiritual tool that can bring us back into right relationship with our prayerful life, as breath is a prayer. Breath can have the same, if not often stronger, impact as a psychedelic journey. For this reason I am only accepting those individuals (for group work) who have good integration skills for the potential sensations/traumas that can arise to be healed.
I have been leading groups and individuals in healing breath work ceremonies for over 10 years. I am honored and excited to weave in my deep passion for prayer and its mysterious power, and begin sharing again.
Prayer saved my life. I will share a brief version of my story with prayer for inspiration.
Group Healing
This 4 part series will dive deep into the architecture of prayer and how it takes shape in you.
Our first session will be a teaching of the breath. We will touch briefly on the science as you can google the profound research on breath since its “popularity” in the last decade- or you can simply study the ancient Tantras 😉 and what the yogis and shamans of the world have always known about the breath.
Our main focus will be on the spiritual impacts of breath and leave space for your own inner teacher/healer to discover what lives at the intersection between breath and body.
Each session will begin with a short teaching/prayer, an hour of breath work including integration time, a sharing circle. I will encourage sharing your prayer in our last session be it a sound, song, poem, moment of silence etc. You will walk back into the world after this ceremonial time {hopefully} with a greater sense of faith in your innate/unique prayer language.
CONFIDENTIALITY is a must. Please no scents, perfumes etc. If you have even the slightest sniffle, stay home.
Breakdown:
- 4 sessions beginning Thursday October—–
- 2 (possibly 2.5 for our first session) hours from 6-8pm
- $100-$150 for the series (talk to me if this is an issue)
- 7 people max for intimacy.
Individual Sessions
- Are 90 minutes in length for mentorship, journeying and integration time.
- Prayer, vocal healing, music, silence, potential hands on support.
- Require a comfortable space to lie down, free of distractions (if online)
- Please do not eat a large meal before sessions.
- Sliding scale donation.
How it works ~ What to expect
The breath pattern is a rhythmic circular breath that moves deep into the body and activates the diaphragm in a pumping that stimulates the psoas, vagus nerve, various organs and biochemical reactions to move lymph, blood, oxygen and chi through the body at a heightened pace.  There are many different ways to breathe and I focus on one or two that I have worked with.  The key is continued engagement along with witness and curiosity.
There is music and vocal accompaniment to accelerate us into a space of release. Setting an intention of curiosity is helpful.
Sensational Responses
Due to the rapid metabolizing of stagnant emotions, trauma and physical congestion, the body can experience a vast array of sensations in response.
Physical:
- Shaking
- Hot and cold fluctuations
- Surges of emotion
- Contraction in the legs and arms
- Quivering in the face and mouth
- Potential DMT release
- Tetanus~ this is a, often painful, contraction of the hands to turn inward and claw like. There are many physiological and metyphysical explanations for this. Honestly no one really knows- I have my take on it and we can discuss this in person.
- This is not hyperventilation- you are entering into this process consciously.
Metaphysical
- Visionary states
- Euphoria
- Potential DMT release.
- Suppressed memories return
- Kundalini awakening
- Heart opening where compassion, grief and gratitude become gnosis
- The veil to the other worlds is pierced
Contraindications
- Current or history of seizures
- Heart problems (depending on the condition-we will talk)
- Current or history of psychiatric episodes that rendered hospitalization or medications.
- Severe trauma, hypervigilent nervous systems, hyperarousal, disociation.
- Asthma (however I have seen it clear asthma-so this is a discussion)
- Please inquire if you have any of the above conditions.
Sessions:
Please email me for questions or to book a session at shira@theoriginalmedicine.com