Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: breath

  • Out of Breath

    Out of Breath

     It seems that Jo has been running away all her life. There were distressing circumstances in her childhood which she planned to leave behind when she left England and moved to Australia. In Sydney she wanted to settle down. She began a relationship which failed. This led to her fleeing to a farm near Broome to pick mangoes.

    The courage of Jo is never in doubt as she rises to the challenge of the outback, the weather, harsh conditions, and sheer hard work. However once again we find her running away. This time she is looking for a true escape, living with a group of people in disused buildings.

     This group are happy, settled and headed by a woman who is love and kindness personified. They spend a great deal of time in the protected waters off the coast, and all become skilled in the art of holding their breath underwater for a long time.

    Jo has never questioned the need for money. Mainly the group exist on fruit that is substandard, or grain that has been rejected. But a project is revealed that has her questioning her moral compass. The intrigue and mystery that gradually evolve, have such alarming consequences that Jo runs, this time, for her life.

    Out of Breath by Anna Snoekstra is a sombre story with twists that slowly are revealed. It looks at how we can manipulate our subconscious and chain ourselves to misconceptions. There are some lovely descriptions of the Australian landscape.

  • Orenda: Breath of Angels

    Orenda: Breath of Angels

    An elegant simplicity of which the Divine One’s are sure to approve, is the hallmark of this latest work from composer and pianist Dyan Garris, Orenda: Breath of Angels, an album that returns to the earlier style of what was then referred to as New Age Music, which in many ways is a breath of fresh air in a world that is seeking peace and tranquillity.

    Where Angels are concerned there is a lightness of being, strength of purpose and a definitive spiritually which is often hard to define clearly, but through the mystique of music, the beauty of the angelic realm reaches out to comfort, sooth and reassure which has been captured in this peaceful, calming, collection.

    Sherry Finzer on flute adds an ethereal ambiance to several of the tracks, along with delicate vocals from Rebekah Eden and on the first track, Every Time You Breath, Juliet Lyons. Tony Garvis on guitar and Louis Anthony deLise’s intricate sting arrangements complete the stellar line up of musicians who have collaborated to create a magical journey to an angelic realm.

    Orenda showcases the talent of Garris in a simple piece with piano and violin that highlights the words from Garris on the inner cover of the liner: ‘Somewhere between your own inhale and exhale is the space where angels breathe.’ Water for the Soul – remix is another such piece with a slightly more up-tempo beat and a fitting piece to use once again on this album.

    It has been said on several occasions that Garris, when composing and recording has a direct pathway to the angelic realm:  Orenda: Breath of Angels only underpins that opinion, as each of the songs is as if a door opens into another dimension and within that dimension, is whatever you choose to select: peace, relaxation or meditation, or maybe all three.

    Perfect for meditation is the final track 5th Eye Trance with the exquisite vocals of Rebekah Eden taking this piece to another level entirely: the clear, fresh and pure space where the Angels choose dwell.

    In a time when music of a ‘new age’ format is becoming incredibly sophisticated and wide ranging in style and emotion, Orenda: Breath of Angels could easily be considered as a stand-alone album that has been heaven sent!

  • Purposeful Breathing

    Purposeful Breathing

    In a recent interview, psychologist Dr Greg Smith explained that he had always had an interest in breathing. During his study of yoga, he saw there was a strong emphasis on the breath. While working with patients, he realised that often people who were anxious tended not to breathe out and people, when depressed, tended not to breathe in. After many years of counselling a wide variety of people, he has refined skills which are easily learned and used by patients. Purposeful Breathing explains his theories on the mind-body link that is developed with breathing.

    Dr Smith has published this book as a manual which outlines simple practices which can be helpful in a range of circumstances. Part 1 gives background information for breathing awareness and problem breathing, before moving on to the key principles of purposeful breathing, and styles. Breathing for specific purposes covers many areas of interest; stress, anxiety, energy, health, happiness and creativity are some of those. “Once you step out of the thought loops and have moments of mental quietness and calm, you can refocus,” says Smith

    There is an excellent chapter on values. Many of us strive to have a life with our sense of values being practised, but the author quotes Psychologists Seligman and Peterson who have presented a list of basic values which is fascinating to look at and reflect upon. It is felt that, if we have a clear set of values in our lives, everyday situations and decision making becomes easier. Reflecting on and identifying our own values, gives us a solid foundation for this.

    Part 4 of the book deals with Meditation, Mindfulness and Eastern Traditions, with exercises offered for breathing in Mindfulness for meditation and relaxation. There is a superb exercise for a spinal flexing breath, for those seated at a desk for a long period. This book is a treasure for everyone seeking a little calm in their lives. Just reading through the thoughts and exercises brings a moment of peace.

  • Relief from Anxiety and Panic: by changing how you breathe (BreatheAbility for Health)

    Relief from Anxiety and Panic: by changing how you breathe (BreatheAbility for Health)

    In today’s world of mayhem and what appears to be madness, there are many self-help books that can and do help make a difference to how people cope with the stress of modern life. Sometimes the solutions are simple but for others the reality is far greater than a quick fix, or changing a perspective.

    Tess Graham has, over several decades of working with people, helped more than 6000 people take charge of their lives; people who have already tried many methods of attempting to find a happy pathway to conquering their stress and anxiety, with hugely successful results.

    Dedicating her life to understanding the optimal effect of breathing on the psychology of the body and mind, she speaks directly to people who have difficulty with attaining a healthy and healing night’s sleep due to anxiety, sleep apnoea or snoring.

    Her previous book Relief from Snoring and Sleep Apnoea, has helped many quickly and easily on their pathway to a good night’s sleep. She now addresses the very real issue of anxiety and the benefits of correct breathing techniques in ‘Relief from Anxiety and Panic’, to help calm and settle anxiety with understanding, insight, knowledge by using breath and breathing to great effect.

    Relief from Anxiety and Panic is designed to be used as a workbook. Clearly worded, it is very comprehensive, presenting the psychology of breathing in a clear, easy to understand style, as well as the techniques that can be used in conjunction with other aspects of healing to better understand anxiety, the immense value of breathing correctly and the massive benefits that it can bring to not only attaining a healthier lifestyle, but one that will also be free from the crippling effects of anxiety and panic.

    This simple and effective the workbook, needs to be filled in as you progress through the book, as your previous notes are used as reference points as breath techniques are learned or relearned, which offers a pathway forward. There is also the reminder that there may be times when Professional help is required; when retraining in breathing via a Breathing Educator could be of significant help as new skills are learned which will definitely make a vast difference for a fuller and richer quality of life.