The Breath that Unites Us All

​Umbilicus and Diaphragm function energy
 
We could say that this is the final piece to our puzzle, but really it is the first.  Without the palms of our hands, we would not have any fingers.  The palms are the key to it all.  Here, we find the energy that is connecting us to our Source.  This is how we “plug into the wall” and charge our battery.  Without a source of life/power, our battery/body eventually stops running.  What is the connection between the diaphragm muscle and our breath? 
 
According to www.healthline.com, the diaphragm “contracts and flattens when you inhale.  This creates a vacuum effect that pulls air into the lungs.  When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and the air is pushed out of the lungs.”
 
On the level of energy creating and sustaining the body, this is a bridge between the seen and the unseen.  Aside from when it’s cold out, we generally don’t actually see our breath, but it is there nonetheless.  It is this breathing function that connects us all: people, animals, and plants.  It is the binding ingredient necessary for sustaining all life.  If we remove the diaphragm energy from the equation, we are making it practically impossible to be alive.
 
In our previous conversations about the fingers, we didn’t really talk about the natural flow pattern of our energy.  As we are inhaling, the energy is moving up the back of the body (including the arms and legs, fingers and toes), and then during the exhale, the energy is moving down the front.  This is continuous, and cyclic.  Up the back, and down the front; which, in and of itself is a beautifully simple meditation.  Each of the organ functions mentioned in the earlier posts are paired up, and their energy flows are either moving up the back or down the front of the body.  It is the same here.  Along with the diaphragm function energy, we have the umbilicus function energy.
 
What does the umbilical chord do for a fetus inside of the mother?

• Cleans
• Nourished
• Protects
• Sustains life 
• Cultivates growth

 
Because the breath is all-encompassing, every aspect of the body/mind/spirit is supported by balancing the umbilicus function energy.  Indeed, for people who are very shy, and introverted, we can support them shining their light in the world by harmonizing the umbilicus flow.  When there is somebody having a difficult time “leaving the nest”, that is an expression of the umbilicus energy.  Due to the specific pathway that this energy flow uses in the body, we can also come here to support any ear and/or hearing projects.    
 

• Umbilicus = Up (helping the energy to move up, especially anything “stuck” below the waist)
• Diaphragm = Down (helping the energy to move down, especially anything “stuck” above the waist)

 
To harmonize the diaphragm and umbilicus function energy, we hold the palms, front and back.  This is a cumulative practice.  The more time we give to this, the better, but every little bit counts.  It’s like putting change in your change jar.  Once you have a hold of your hand, take at least 3 nice full, relaxed breaths, beginning with the exhale to make space for the new breath.  (Again, thinking about a newly born baby: they must exhale the amniotic fluid before taking their first breath of pure air.)  I like to focus on my left hand first (energy of our ancestors, our DNA, that which we inherited), before moving to my right hand (the energy of the “now”, how am I playing the cards that were dealt to me?), and taking 3 additional breaths.  This is a beautiful way to begin the day, deal with whatever critical moments are happening during the day, as well as shut down when it is time for sleep.
 
Sending you love and gratitude from Exquisite Healing,
Amy & Tait