3 Ways Breathing Differently Can Change Your Life
Three Focused Breathing Exercises
(Two are not all-day breathing techniques. #1 is always good for you, but the other two are to be used only when needed. Too much "whiskey" or "coffee" isn't good for your digestive system or could cause anxiety.)
Water and Waves Breathing
This exercise is always good. Like water, just take "sips" throughout the day.
Inhale through your nose: 1,2,3,4
Exhale through your nose: 4,3,2,1
Repeat 10 times.
You will be breathing about 4-6 breaths per minute, which is half of the normal rate.
This can bring balance: calm you down when you are ramped up or bring you back up when you are too sluggish or dragging.
Whiskey and Wine Breathing
Use this exercise with care, primarily to fall asleep.
Inhale through your nose: 1,2,3,4
Exhale through your nose: 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
Repeat 10 times.
This stimulates "rest and digest" responses in your body, your parasympathetic nervous system. Your heart rate and BP drops.
Coffee Breath
Use this technique most sparingly either in the morning, before a workout, or at 3 PM when snack urges hit.
The looks and feels just like a sneeze. All work is done in the lower abdomen.
Focus only on the exhale. 20 exhales, 10-30 times. Picture how a horse breathes when it is running: exhaling through its nose.
What happens is that the "fight or flight" sympathetic nervous system is activated. It gets us "geared up".
Another breathing technique has been promoted by Dr. Andrew Weill: 4,7,8 and includes holding your breath.
Inhale 1,2,3,4
HOLD 7,6,5,4,3,2,1
Exhale 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
Try each method to find what you are most comfortable with and what helps YOU focus and get centered.
Stop running on autopilot and improve the quality of breath, and the way you function every day.
*Be aware that while doing these exercises, you may experience an emotional release. It's normal if you have suppressed emotions or grief for those to come to the surface.
Some doors open only from the inside. Breath is a way to access that door.
Free Consultation
Let's chat! Set up a free 15 minute consultation with me to see what we can accomplish together.
