Kula for Karma Breathes Life Into Meetings

Geri Topfer, founder, and Penni Feiner, executive director, Kula for Karma, a non-profit, 501(c) 3, that offers yoga, free-of-charge, to those whose spirit has been challenged by illness, abuse, neglect, addiction, and other of life’s obstacles, have several stretches and breathing exercises that can energize any meeting group and help reset the focus. (For more on Kula for Karma, see our April story.)

1. Stand up, place feet about hips width apart with a gentle bend in the knees. Take arms out like wings. Swing arms in crossing over one another and at the same time sniff in one third of the breath through the nose.

2.  Swing arms out and sniff in the next third, then in again sniffing in final third. Finally let arms swing back out to the sides, bend knees, bend at the waist and make the sound, “hah,” with the sound carrying the exhale. This practice is called, “Breath of Joy,” and can be done sitting in a chair. Effective for all, including those who may have some sort of handicap.

3. Another energizing practice is, “Breath of Fire.” Participants learn this practice by panting like a dog with its tongue hanging out of its mouth equal increments on the panting. "Breath of Fire" is just that with the mouth closed. Very important to tune into your own body's pace here. Not too slow, not too fast, and most important, don't get caught up in your neighbor's pace. 

4. Finally, for energizing the body, and getting some prana, or lifeforce, back in to the joints, do some gentle Sun salutations that work while either sitting or standing.  If standing, stand with feet about hips width apart. Arms down by sides. Inhale and sweep arms up overhead, palms come together, in angeli mudra (looks hands together in prayer.) Exhale and bring the hands back to the heart. This can be repeated over and over again. 

“All of our suggestions involve the use of the breath. It is the most powerful tool I know, and can take us from one place to another,” says Feiner. 

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