I went to a chamber music concert in Oslo today, with breath exercise included before the music part of the program. (Members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra at Trekanten.)
I am happy to see that these kinds of things are entering the mainstream in Oslo. At the same time, it seems a bit of a fad. It’s the hip thing to do. I did secretly slightly roll my eyes when I saw it.
We first did the vase breath – into the belly, hold for 3-5 seconds, out through the mouth with a gentle sound. The second breath exercise was the same, with an additional sharp in-breath to fill the lungs. I was rushed getting there, and have had some extra amounts of stress over the last few days, so the exercises were welcome and I noticed they helped calm down my system.
The concert started immediately after the breath exercises, with no words spoken and no clapping until the end of the concert. I was surprised to see how focused and calm the audience was. They all seemed to pay full attention and sat still until the end. There was no restlessness, no coughing, no phones, no whispers.
For all I know, the audience would be equally attentive without the breath exercises, but I doubt it. I suspect the breath exercises played an important role.
It’s an example of how fads sometimes work. Especially when they are grounded in ancient traditions, common sense (changing the breathing inevitably changes the bodymind activation), and what we know works from experience (and some science). For instance, I imagine that holding the breath for a few seconds activates the mammalian response to diving underwater which slows down all body processes.
I would love to see this before more concerts. I suspect it would help people enjoy the music far more, because they are in a more relaxed and attentive mind-space and physical space.
Is it really a fad? Yes and no. In Oslo these days, and in these settings, it’s a kind of fad. It’s the new, fascinating thing for many. It’s also an ancient tradition and far from a fad.