Caswell illuminates benefits of breath

The Chinese call it Chi, the Na’vi from “Avatar” call it the Tree of Life, and Leslie Caswell calls it a “belly breath.”

As part of the Dorset Graves’ Library Lecture Series, Caswell, a graduate assistant in the Education Department, presented “Holistic Health and Workplace Wellness,” at 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Caswell’s presentation was based on the idea of quantum physics, which is a theory that our thoughts impact particles around us.  Caswell explained there was an electromagnetic “bubble” around every person that emits good or bad vibes depending on the condition of their heart.

“Our thoughts and words create vibrations,” said Caswell, “that impact our health.”

So, you ask, good and bad vibes are real after all? Yes, but that’s just the easy part. The hard part is finding the interconnectedness that we don’t normally detect to change our vibes.

Our bodies function through numerous systems, but the one that we have control over is breathing.

Caswell performed an exercise during the presentation where the audience executed “mountain pose,” a simple yoga move involving deep breathing using full breaths from the belly. This state of being is to be aware of yourself in the deepest sense possible. It is all about concentrating on the present and not worrying about the past or future.

“Our culture is about multitasking and rewarding a behavior that is not healthy, for example, a workaholic. When we take that moment to breathe, it has a tremendous benefit on our bodies to just be and we become aware of the things that make us uncomfortable that cause stress. My hope is that we can incorporate this attitude of wellness throughout our day,” Caswell said.

In addition, Caswell hopes to see a campus garden built where the former Kline Center is being torn down.

“Holistic health is about being as natural as possible and we can start here,” Caswell said.