Skatepark Breathing Intervention
Written by Lifecoach Brodie
There are many things I would love to share with you that I have witnessed over the past while, however, there is one in particular that I feel most compelled to share.
Over the past few months supervising the drop-in evening at the Youth Centre, I've had the immense privilege of getting to know many of the Kaslo youth. Even as I write this, my heart swells with the love I feel growing for these kids.
One day I was opening up the centre and the campground attendant from across the street approached me with a concerned look on her face. Apparently, a group of campers had seen a group of kids in front of the youth centre playing what is known as 'the choking game'. They were distraught to see one boy choking another boy to the point of actually passing out.
As a mentor for these kids, I knew I had to deal with this as soon as possible, but how exactly I would do that I had no idea. I decided to allow the resolution to unfold naturally.
The next day, I was at the skatepark with my kids. I was sitting in my truck doing some homework when I looked over to see a crowd of kids surrounding the one boy who had passed out outside the youth centre. I knew this was the perfect opportunity, yet I still had no clue how I would approach the situation. As I walked over to the crowd, I simply sent out a prayer to be guided in my actions toward a positive outcome.
Arriving at the scene, I found the boy crouched down on the ground hyperventilating on purpose and then squeezing his own chest and holding his breath. The kids around him were transfixed by what he was doing and I could see that there were 3 or 4 others ready to try it themselves.
I sat down in the crowd and asked him, "How many brain cells have you killed so far?"
This got many of the kids attention, however, the boy kept on going. I asked what he was doing and he said he was making himself dizzy.
As he continued, I said to everyone, "Well, he has half the recipe right. You see his breathing, in and out evenly and consistently? That's great. However, when he stops breathing and squeezes his chest, he's damaging his brain cells and confusing his body. If instead he continued to breathe at this point, he could stimulate his cells and potentially have an awakening experience. What he is doing right now is only going to kill a whack of brain cells and will not make him any smarter"
Now this got their attention! Some of the kids who were sitting ready to try out his technique got up and moved to the outskirts of the group to observe. The boy who was demonstrating his breathing technique stopped and asked me what I meant.
I asked him if he wanted to try a more advanced method of circular breathing and he said he would. At this point, I took over the situation and began guiding him in what is known as pneumatic breathwork, otherwise known as rebirthing or circular breathing. For the kids sake, I just called it circular breathing. It was amazing to see his determination in his actions and I affirmed him in his ability to overcome discomfort and his strength of will.
Before I began the process however, I took the opportunity to tackle the issue of the choking game incident in an indirect manner. I pointed out again, loud and clear, that he was killing his brain cells and harming his body. I also made it clear to everyone that a sure sign of brain cell damage would be if he actually passed out. The kids got it and we continued.
It was an amazing experience. He resumed his circular breathing pattern and at the point where he would have held his breath and squeezed his chest, I guided him into continuing the breathing and to following, not his mind, but his intuition. Naturally, the mind will often want to stop the breathing because it's not exactly comfortable and there are barriers, which must be pushed through to get to where it's easier and where the breath can flow... just as in life. What I was teaching him and all the others was to listen to his body, and if his body (intuition) told him to ease up, to listen, but not to stop breathing.
When he reached this point, and continued on, I felt blessed to be a part of this experience. Here we were, a group of kids at the skatepark, and myself, facilitating a rebirthing experience! I could tell that my prayer for guidance had been answered as we all witnessed this young boy entering into the deeper, more profound portion of a rebirthing session. As his breathing continued on in varying degrees of intensity for the next 10 minutes or so, I sat by him in support, offering words of encouragement. The kids who were around came one or two at a time by his side and supported him with their own words of encouragement for him and questions for me.
As his breathing subsided, he rolled over on his side and lay there for about another 10 minutes or so in a peaceful silence. After some time, I gently placed my hand on his shoulder and he stirred. Slowly he sat up and came back to this reality.
Everyone was very curious how he felt. His first response, as he walked over to a nearby bench with a big smile on his face was that he felt "blissed out".
What really happened that day at the skatepark? I feel that we all learned exactly what we needed to learn in those moments together, and that we all learned something different and profound. I also feel that I got to take another step closer to these kids and be there for them when they needed someone to guide them.
As humans it's natural for us to want to alter our consciousness, and we do it in many ways. Some say it's even a basic human need. However, some of the methods we use are destructive, such as drugs, alcohol, overeating, cigarettes, etc., while others are creative or life giving, such as exercise, breathing, meditation, healthy diet, etc.
I know someone who played the choking game as a kid and ended up committing suicide at the age of 16. His father says he feels he just got so comfortable with passing over into the unconscious realm that death became less scary.
My intention with this intervention was to steer the curiosity of our youth toward a life giving experience. I could have gone into that crowd of youth and demanded them to stop what they were doing. I could have scorned the boy who was teaching them his technique and made a fool of him, but where would that have led?
Instead, I supported what was already happening and helped to guide it toward a more productive outcome. The boy who was leading obviously has some outstanding leadership qualities and I only hope that they have been strengthened in this experience. For the youth who stood up and walked away before trying the dizzying technique, I can only hope that they learned some discernment in choosing and following.
This is not an issue that only pertains to our youth. It pertains to all of us. We are actually altering our consciousness with all of our actions and behaviour. Are we choosing life or are we choosing to destroy the incredible gift we have all been given?
Here are a couple links to two of the people I have learned rebirthing with: http://www.maharabrenna.com/ http://www.bobfrisell.com/
Comments
Wonderful intervention..... thank you for asking for guidance and for being open to receiving it and following through in a heartfelt, gentle and caring way. You are a great gift to the youth of Kaslo..... another Brodie-niche!
Good idea Ursi, to pass this along to the school and village staff. Let's ALL know what's going on with the youth of Kaslo, and let's ALL know who's doing something about it.
Virtual hugs all around,
Donna
Would you mind if I sent this to Rae Sawyer, who is a friend of Trish's & also the Village Clerk, who was aghast when she heard it from the campers & wondered how to follow up????
Let me know. And perhaps in September it can also be sent to Dan Miles, the Teachers, PAC & Community Services, if you haven't already done so.....The more we get the word out the more likely the parents and kids will get it.
Blessings,
Ursula
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