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In this continuation of her insightful discussion, Vidyamala Burch delves deeper into how mindfulness can transform the experience of living with chronic pain and illness. She explores the profound effects of breathwork, gravity, and body awareness in reducing suffering and cultivating resilience. Through case studies, simple exercises, and meditative guidance, Vidyamala offers practical tools that listeners can apply in their daily lives to soften the impact of pain and find ease in the body.
This episode is sponsored by the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. Learn more about this unique, online, self-paced program at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Show Notes:
How Mindfulness Changes the Experience of Pain
Vidyamala shares a powerful case study of a young woman facing severe illness who experienced a radical shift in her suffering through mindfulness training. The practice helped her engage with her pain differently, reducing reactivity and fostering calm even during invasive treatments.
The Power of Whole-Body Breathing
Learn how to move beyond shallow chest breathing to “360-degree breathing,” involving all parts of the body. Vidyamala explains the role of four major diaphragms—from the brain to the pelvic floor—and how coordinated, full-body breathing can soothe the nervous system and promote inner calm.
Breaking the Habit of Breath-Holding
Chronic pain often leads to unconscious breath-holding, which intensifies discomfort. Vidyamala introduces a simple fist-clenching exercise to illustrate how breath gets restricted and how awareness can soften and release that tension, leading to significant relief.
Resting into Gravity Instead of Resisting It
Many people with pain subconsciously resist gravity, which creates fatigue and strain. Vidyamala discusses how yielding into gravity with openness—not collapse—can bring ease to both body and mind.
The Five B’s of the Breath
Discover a memorable way to cultivate mindful breathing by focusing on five key areas: the buttocks, belly, back, back of the mouth, and brain. Awareness in these zones helps reinforce softness and responsiveness in breath and posture.
A Guided Five B’s Body Scan
Experience a gentle yet profound body scan practice that integrates the concepts discussed, guiding listeners to rest into the body, connect with the breath, and allow discomfort to flow like a river through open awareness.
