Flexibility Hack #6: Whisper
Gravity Yoga Nervous System Hack #6 is called ‘Whisper’.
This is how it works: after attempting to ‘Fracture’ an energetic dam, you will exhale while constricting the back of your throat.
I talked about it briefly in Rule #3: ‘Lunar Breathing,’ but exhaling in this way is like fogging up a mirror, and should sound a bit like rolling waves on the ocean.
Why do we do this? Well, on top of lengthening the exhale beyond just a few short seconds, ‘Whisper’ is a useful relaxation hack for three reasons:
(1) First and foremost, ‘Whisper’ breathing will control your breath rate, and hence will control your descent into the stretch.
Imagine a garden hose without a sprinkler head: the water flows out at whatever rate it flows out at!
And now imagine placing your thumb on the spigot: water starts rocketing out, and you can aim it towards further targets!
The thumb on the garden hose is basically how the glottis (the muscle that makes sure food doesn’t go down the wrong pipe) behaves in your throat.
More glottis constriction means more precision.
And more precision means more control over where your energy flows.
And more control over where your energy flows means more capacity for conscious relaxation.
(2) The 2nd reason to ‘Whisper’ breathe during Gravity Yoga is that it creates friction on the throat section of your vagus nerve.
Why does this matter? I talk about it more in my Deeper. Slower. Easier. Level 4 training, but your vagus nerve is largely responsible for your rest and relaxation response — i.e. it redirects energy away from your muscles and towards your organs…super important for deep stretching!
(Note: historically, this is one reason why singing and chanting have been such potent tools for connecting with the Divine. The physiological relaxation afforded by the vagus nerve quiets the mind, which in turn allows a more direct line of communication to God/Source/Brahma/The Creator.)
(3) The final reason to include this technique in your practice is because the loud hissing sound acts as a communication device to your mind.
By this I mean that the noise from the exhale will remind you to stay present.
During class, your mind will be constantly pulled away from Gravity Yoga’s three rules. This is to be expected. But by getting in the habit of ‘Whisper’ breathing, you’ll have another trigger reminding you to be aware of distracting thoughts.
By the way, this technique is called “ujjayi pranayama” in yoga, and is considered invaluable for regulating how much energy flows into and out of the physical system.
Anyways, that’s it for hack number 6. One left to go! See you on the next page,
– Ethan ॐ
P.S. If you want to actually learn this one, head to the practice section and try ‘Whispering’ in “Backpack Stretch.” This pose is great for releasing tension in your neck and shoulder.
P.P.S. You’re also welcome to ‘Whisper’ on the inhale. Doing so will help you aim the breath more precisely into your chosen ‘Target’.
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