The Nine Breaths – A Preliminary Purification Practice

 In today’s busy and often overwhelming world, stress, emotional tension, and stagnant energy can easily accumulate in the body and mind. The Nine Breaths, an ancient Tibetan breathing technique, offers a simple yet profound method to cleanse the body's subtle energy channels, clear the mind, and reset the emotional body.

At OM Massage, we believe that conscious breathwork is one of the most direct paths to self-healing. The Nine Breaths technique provides a structured, time-honored way to release negativity, balance the internal energies, and create a foundation of clarity and well-being—anytime, anywhere.

 The Nine Breaths practice originates from the ancient healing and yogic traditions of Tibet, where working with the body's "wind energy" (loong) is fundamental to health and spiritual development. Practitioners visualize and guide energy through three main channels within the subtle body—central, right, and left—to purify emotional imbalances tied to anger, attachment, and ignorance.

Tibetan Tsalung (or Tsalong) meditations include many varieties of energetic practices, but almost all traditional Tibetan meditation sessions—whether for health, energy balancing, or deep spiritual awakening—begin with the Nine Breaths practice. It serves as an essential purification step, helping to calm and align the energies before deeper meditation work.

This method has been practiced for centuries by Tibetan yogis, healers, and everyday people as a daily tool to maintain energetic and emotional harmony.

 Practicing the Nine Breaths regularly can help to:

• Clear mental fog and emotional blockages
   
• Reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional reactivity
   
• Improve concentration and mindfulness
   
• Strengthen the breath and lung function
   
• Restore balance to the body’s subtle energy channels
   
• Support emotional healing and inner peace
   
• Prepare the mind and body for deeper meditation or self-care practices
   

It is especially effective when feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or when seeking a gentle way to center before healing sessions.

 The Nine Breaths practice can be done:

• First thing in the morning to start the day clear and energized
   
• Before meditation, yoga, or massage sessions to prepare the energy body
   
• After a stressful encounter to cleanse emotional residues
   
• Before sleep to release accumulated tensions
   
• Anytime you feel emotionally or mentally imbalanced
   

All you need is a few minutes and a quiet space to sit comfortably.

• Sit upright in a comfortable position. If sitting cross-legged on the floor is difficult, simply sit upright on a chair with your feet flat on the ground. You can also kneel if that feels more natural.
   
• Keep your spine naturally straight but relaxed, without straining.
   
• Rest your hands on your knees or thighs.
   
• Take a few natural breaths to settle yourself.
   
• Visualize your body as a clear, hollow form filled with pure light.

• Right Channel (Red, Solar Energy): Associated with anger and bile imbalances.

• Left Channel (White, Lunar Energy): Associated with attachment and wind imbalances.

• Central Channel (Blue, Neutral Energy): Associated with ignorance and phlegm imbalances.

The goal is to cleanse impurities lodged in these channels through conscious breathing and visualization.

1. Close your left nostril with your left index finger.
    
2. Inhale deeply through the right nostril, visualizing pure rainbow light entering.
    
3. Guide the breath down the right channel to the navel.
    
4. Hold briefly, then
    
5. Exhale slowly through the left nostril (release the left nostril, close the right), visualizing anger and impurities exiting as dark red smoke.
    

Repeat this process three times.

1. Close your right nostril with your right index finger.
    
2. Inhale deeply through the left nostril, drawing in pure light.
    
3. Guide the breath down the left channel to the navel.
    
4. Hold briefly, then
    
5. Exhale slowly through the right nostril (release the right nostril, close the left), visualizing attachment and desire leaving as whitish-grey smoke.
    

Repeat this process three times.

1. Inhale through both nostrils simultaneously, guiding pure light down both side channels.
    
2. At the navel, the two currents merge into the central blue channel.
    
3. Hold the breath briefly, allowing the light to rise up the central channel.
    
4. Exhale gently through both nostrils, visualizing confusion and ignorance exiting as dark bluish smoke.
    

Repeat this process three times.

After completing the Nine Breaths:

• Sit quietly for a moment, noticing the spaciousness and clarity within.
   
• You may wish to end with a few natural breaths or a simple dedication of your practice toward your health, peace, and well-being.

• Beginners can practice slowly and lightly—there is no need to force the breath.
   
• Over time, deepen your visualization and allow the energetic cleansing to feel more tangible.
   
• Always breathe with ease; if you feel dizzy, pause and return to natural breathing.