Mindfulness for Pain & Illness | Part 2 with Vidyamala Burch

In part two of our conversation with Vidyamala Burch, we dive into practical applications of mindfulness for pain and stress. She explains how habitual breath holding and tension reinforce pain, and introduces the concept of whole-body breathing as a way to unwind secondary suffering.

Vidyamala teaches how to bring soft, embodied awareness to five key areas of the breath—the buttocks, belly, back, back of the mouth, and brain—which she refers to as the “5 Bays of the Breath.”

This episode includes a guided body-based practice exploring these areas and encouraging fluid, receptive awareness to counteract pain and reactivity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ How to use mindful breathing to release tension and reduce reactivity

✔ The connection between resistance, breath holding, and pain

✔ An introduction to the 5 Bays of the Breath and how to apply them

✔ A guided body-based mindfulness practice for pain relief and grounding

This episode is ideal for mindfulness teachers, health professionals, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how breath and awareness can transform pain into fluid, manageable experience.

Connect with Vidyamala:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Support the show

Add your 5‑star review — this really helps others find us. Certify To Teach Mindfulness: Certify.MindfulnessExercises.com Email: Sean@MindfulnessExercises.com

About the Podcast Mindfulness Exercises with Sean Fargo is a practical, grounded mindfulness podcast for people who want meditation to actually help in real life. Hosted by Sean Fargo — a former Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and founder of MindfulnessExercises.com — this podcast explores how mindfulness can support mental health, emotional regulation, trauma sensitivity, chronic pain, leadership, creativity, and meaningful work. Each episode offers a mix of: • Practical mindfulness and meditation teachings • Conversations with respected teachers, clinicians, authors, and researchers • Real-world insights for therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, educators, and caregivers • Gentle reflections for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or change Rather than chasing peak experiences or spiritual bypassing, this podcast emphasizes embodied practice, ethical teaching, and mindfulness that meets people where they are—messy, human, and alive. If you’re interested in: • Mindfulness meditation for everyday life • Trauma-sensitive and co...