A couple of weeks ago, my team and I hosted a Livestream to introduce a special project we’ve been working on for more than a year: Inspire, Volume 1: Ten Tracks to Master the Breath.

More than 15,000 people tuned in from 115 countries as I shared the background and inspiration for creating Inspire. And our community warmly embraced Alex Ruiz – one of many collaborators on the project – as we talked about his experience with the breath … and the extraordinary artwork he created for the cover.

It was humbling and gratifying to learn our event had been attended by so many people. At the same time, it perfectly illustrates why we created Inspire – to respond to a need in our community.


Understanding the “What” and the “Why” of the Breath

Ever since I began incorporating the breath called “Pulling the Mind Out of the Body” into this work, one of the most common questions we get at Encephalon – especially from beginning students – is: “How do I do the breath?”

My response is: before we can talk about the “how,” we have to talk about the “what” and the “why.”

The breath is a powerful practice designed to move the creative energy that rests, dormant, at the base of the spine – the energy, or life force, we use to make a baby; to digest a meal; to run from perceived threats – and direct it to the pineal gland in the brain.

When we use the breath to liberate that stored energy, and release it into the brain, we move out of survival … and into creation. The breath helps us reach that delicate state of being relaxed and awake.

How does it work? Our research has demonstrated that, when the breath is done properly, we can create high levels of coherent gamma brain waves. These gamma frequencies can help us reach heightened awareness, super-consciousness, and states of euphoria or bliss.

At the same time, there is a suppression of the analytical or critical mind, allowing us to more easily enter the subconscious mind, as well as the unknown – the only place from which we can reprogram ourselves.

Facilitated by the breath, then, our body becomes an instrument of transformation and creation.


Experience: The Greatest Teacher

Once we understand the function and purpose of the breath, we can execute it with more intention and ease. And so, we’ve created this first volume of Inspire in two parts – one is a 24-minute teaching on every aspect of “Pulling the Mind Out of the Body.” I walk you through the process, step by step.

The second part is what we call Ten Tracks to Master the Breath. This is where we get down to experiencing the breath – through practicing it, again and again. There is no greater teacher than experience. It’s how we embody everything we’ve learned.

With Inspire, you can experience the breath in limitless ways. You can choose among different songs, different paces, different rhythms, and different levels of intensity and instruction. On some tracks, I guide you through the process in great detail. On others, there’s space and silence for you to find your own rhythm and move at your own pace.

It's a body of work that offers numerous ways to approach the breath and get inside it; to refine your practice until it becomes easier – and, ultimately, effortless.


One Slow, Steady Breath: Tune In to Your Unlimited Self

Any time we learn something new, it  takes commitment, discipline, practice, and constant repetition and relearning to reap the rewards. “Pulling the Mind Out of the Body” is no different. I encourage you to approach it with curiosity and willingness – and, most important, with patience and kindness toward yourself. The breath isn’t about performance or competition. It’s not about comparing your experience to anyone else – including you.

We created Inspire to give you the opportunity to enter and experience the breath in limitless ways … so you can tune in to your unlimited self. It truly has been a labor of love – and an exciting collaboration among musicians, artists, and our team. I’m so happy it’s finally out in the world. I hope you enjoy it.