WHAKAPAPA FRIDAYS - In an earlier post, I discussed the physical manifestation of #Tangaroa in the human body as a representation of blood. The movement of the ocean is used as a metaphor for the movement of the blood within our bodies. But Tangaroa can represent much more than the fluid form within us. In fact, there is a deep connection between the blood in our bodies and our #breathing. In former times, there was a common belief that tidal shifts were attributed to the breathing of an #atua, described by these two examples. John White (1887) writes the name Tangaroa with an added macron, as in #Tāngaroa. He further explains that the name Tāngaroa is a shortened version of the phrase Te tānga roa o te manawa, which means the drawn out breath. When the breath is drawn in, the tides ebb, and as the breath is released, the tides flood. Secondly, Tangaroa-whakamautai is widely known for controlling the tides, however, so too are #Rona (personified deity of the #moon) and an atua/#taniwha named Te Parata. It is believed that Te Parata is the one responsible for drawing the breath into his belly to bring low tide, and exhaling to bring high tide (White, 1887. Pg. 569). This is the same atua/taniwha responsible for the giant whirlpool known as Te Korokoro o Te Parata - the great throat of Parata - experienced by the #TeArawa waka during the migration from #Hawaiiki. So why is this important? Well, there is a clear connection between Tangaroa, the atua of the ocean and a breathing phenomenon that is believed to cause the shifting of the tides. Thinking back to Tangaroas representation of the blood in the body, there are ways to incorporate particular breathing techniques that replicate the slow drawn out breaths of Te Parata to positively effect the blood in your body. Slow and deep stomach breathing is used today to manage high blood pressure or hypertension, along with managing stress and anxiety. This is achieved through combating hyperventilation by actively managing how much oxygen we breathe in, and how much carbon dioxide we breathe out. When you begin to breathe heavily during #exercise, or as a result of a stressful situation, large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) are removed from the bloodstream. Not many people realise this, but removing too much CO2 from the body is bad thing. The more CO2 that is expelled from the body when we breathe out, the less acidic the blood becomes. This sets off a chain of events which ultimately causes the small blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain to tighten up. Constricted blood vessels in the brain reduces the bodies ability to deliver oxygen, hence that light-headed or dizzy sensation we feel. The trick is to inhale slowly for 3-5 seconds then slowly exhale at the same rate. This supplies adequate oxygen into the lungs, without losing too much carbon dioxide. Now I see a Māori purpose for using breathing techniques. It is a way to embody Te Parata or Tangaroa with the hope to positively effect the blood in the body. So the next time you are about to hit the wall, feel anxious, or feel your breathing getting out of control, be like Te Parata and take two deep breaths (based on the number of tidal shifts per day) to relax a little. #WhakapapaFridays #Māori #NZ #BreathingTechniques #BreathOfLife #KimiHā #HappyPakehaNewYearWhanau Video Credit: Dan Mace and others
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:24:46 +0000
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