How many times during your workday have you totally been lost in your tasks, and feel disconnected with yourself and others? From my direct experience, when I have taken those few precious moments to reconnect with my inner Self, I experience so much less anxiety, frustration, and drama in my life. Just three deep penetrating breaths throughout your day while you are starting your everyday rituals and tasks can make a huge difference in your Beautiful Life! It is as simple as this — feel the cool of the breath as you deeply inhale and the warmth of the nostrils as you exhale. Extend the exhale for deeper relaxation. Just consciously attending to our breath refreshes us throughout our day!
Try these built-in reminders to breath and relax:
- As you are getting your next glass of water or filling your water pitcher up for the day. (Fill a water pitcher to drink throughout the day that is half of your body weight in ounces to help your digestion/elimination along!)
- When you hug someone; they will feel you are in presence. It will lift both of you up!
- When you go to the bathroom.
- Starting a new project.
- Right before attending a meeting.
- As you are starting to create a meal.
- As you do the dishes in that warm sudsy comforting water!
- As you put your seat belt on in your car.
- While you are sitting at a red light.
- As you sit down with your lovely cup of coffee/tea.
I suggest leaving notes around your home/office to remind yourself to take those 3 deep cleansing breaths until this becomes a life-changing habit for you. My favorite reminder is “Breath deeply/sigh, smile and relax.”
staying in your own energy/presence during meetings or stressful situations
Whenever you are with other human beings!!! lol Bringing attention and presence into your connections and communication with other human beings is magical! Eckhart Tolle taught me this in one of his lectures online. I have experimented with this in the Spiritual Circle I once belonged to, and I could feel the energy of compassion of another participant in my fingers. It was the highest vibration I have ever felt!
Keeping the frequency for the gathering/meeting by intermittently giving focus and directing you attention to the hands in your lap and/or your feet staying solidly on the ground. You may even feel tingles/sensations in your hands or feet. Or you may not! This way you are staying in Presence and Grounded and Held by Mother Earth, and serving the group by holding space for the entire group, and may I say, especially your Beautiful Self. This technique has helped heal my relationships with people when we were undergoing difficulties (to say the least!). The other person feels you are truly present with them and actively listening to them. Haven’t we all formed our reply in our minds without first truly listening to what they had to say to completion? Their energy field knows when you are not really there. Be present, and practice active listening, and observe the healing that can occur in your relationships! This is practical MAGIC!
How To Do Alternate Nostril Breathing, and Return to Equilibrium/Peace Quickly!
Many times when I have been totally thrown off my balance, this can return me right back into the center of the pool of peace within me, and it could do the same for you! Just screaming “Serenity Now” as George’s father did on Seinfeld (lol), only increases you anxiety. This has been a fun joke around our house! Although, when it’s a no-joke situation with you anxiety and blood pressure on the rise — PRESS PAUSE, and try this breathing medicine technique that is base on scientific facts. When you are focused on your breathing, it interrupts the monkey mind and can return you to Peace within moments. With practice, you will drop into equanimity even quicker. The method of alternate nostril breathing is a yogic breath control practice. In Sanskrit, it’s known as nadi shodhana pranayama. This translates as “subtle energy clearing breathing technique.”
Begin in a comfortable sitting position. Soften your jaw and breathe naturally. Keep your eyes closed throughout and continue taking long, deep, smooth breaths without any force or effort.
- With your right hand, bend your index and middle fingers. I like to place them lightly at the base of my thumb. Keep your ring finger, pinkie finger, and thumb extended. Yes! I know this is finger gymnastics. I promise you it will get easier with practice, like everything in life! Place your thumb very lightly on the right nostril. There is no need to apply any pressure yet! Place your ring finger very lightly on your left nostril.
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb.
- Inhale deeply through your left nostril. Do not breathe from the mouth or make any sound while breathing.
- At the top of your inhalation, close your left nostril with your right ring finger as you release the right nostril.
- Exhale through your right nostril. Your exhalation should be longer than the inhalation at the beginning of this practice.
- Keeping the left nostril closed, inhale deeply through your right nostril.
- Seal your right nostril again with your thumb, then release your left nostril.
- Exhale out of your left nostril. You should now be in the original position, with your thumb sealing your right nostril. This is one cycle.
- When you are ready, begin to balance your inhalations and exhalations so they are the same length through both nostrils.
- Repeat up to 10 full cycles, gradually increasing the number of repetitions as you gain experience.
Keep your eyes closed throughout and continue taking long, deep, smooth breaths without any force or effort. Don’t hold your breathe at any point if you have high blood pressure, or any respiratory diseases. You should always stop immediately if you become dizzy or faint. If you have any concerns about practicing yoga, you should speak to your doctor/General Practitioner.
Don’t push yourself with this exercise, if your breath becomes difficult or if you start feeling anxious, stop the exercise and return to your normal breathing before you attempt it again.
Self-Care=Self-Respect=Self-Love
*SOURCES:
A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle
ArtofLiving, YogaOutlet for Alternate Breathing Technique Only