All About that Breath
Meghan Trainor might be singing it’s “All About That Bass,” but I say IT’S ALL ABOUT THAT BREATH!
Oprah declared, “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” Look closely at that quote…the first word is “Breathe!”
Breathing is something we all do naturally. And yet, we can benefit greatly by placing our attention on the breath.
Many years ago I used to send out an online e-zine called EnergyTips to a group of over 1500 people. That group is no longer active and I would like you, my reader, to enjoy some of the tips I had sent out.
Here is the first one …
Perhaps the easiest tip to practice and remember is to BREATHE!
We take breathing for granted. Yet when we focus on our breath we can actually open up stuck areas of energy, quiet anxieties, and feel more awake and alive.
Suggestion: Place your tongue against the roof of your mouth, behind your top front teeth and focus on your breath. Just notice it – the feeling, the sound, and the movement of your chest and/or belly as you inhale.
Option 1: Make an audible sound/sigh as you exhale – it helps to clear out the old, stale energy and helps you relax.
Option 2: As you inhale count to 4. Retain the breath for another 4 counts. Then exhale to the count of 8 (if 8 is too much at first, count to 6!).
This is a simple technique that only takes a few minutes of your time and attention, can be done any time and any place. It is often helpful to practice this upon awakening or before going to bed to get in the habit of focused breathing. This is one of my favorite stress-busters. Use it if you find yourself stressed (in traffic, at work, with family, paying bills, etc.) or in pain (emotional as well as physical). The focused breathing calms you so that the stress has less of a chance to drain your energy.
Focus on the Breath to Fall Asleep
Although I usually have no trouble falling asleep, once in awhile it is a challenge. Recently, when I was out of town (unfamiliar routine, unfamiliar setting) I just could not fall asleep.
I decided to try one of my favorite techniques to quiet the mind and settle down – to focus on the breath and allow the exhale to be twice as long as the inhale.
At first it was impossible. My inhale and exhale were the same length. Breath after breath, my inhale was a 4 and my exhale no more than a 5. Over and over again, I counted as I inhaled and exhaled. I persevered. I kept doing the counting … and that’s the last thing I remember as I fell into a very restful sleep. My guess is that as the exhale became longer and smoother, I gently drifted into sleep.
By focusing on my breath I was able to quiet my mind which had been keeping me awake. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body.”
What techniques do you use to remember to focus on your breath?
The Pleasure Breath
Ellie Drake, founder of Braveheart Women, teaches the “Oxytocin Breath” which stimulates the vegas nerve and increases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone. [Oxytocin is also produced through hugging, breastfeeding, orgasms, laughing, etc.] I have adapted the “Oxytocin Breath” and use it in SourceTapping℠, calling it “The Pleasure Breath.” You can get the directions to use it for yourself by going to SourceTapping.com.
Love and Blessings,
EVENTS
August 22-29. There are still a few spaces available for “The Magical Journey of the Sacred Heart.” If Glastonbury (Avalon) is calling and you’d also like to experience a powerful, private sunset ceremony within Stonehenge (which is no longer open to the public), with a small group of like-hearted souls, then make sure you apply now! Details at SpiritualAdventureTrip.com.
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