♥ Breathing for Peace and Happiness ♥
This is a simple exercise that you can do anytime, anywhere even while you work to bring peace and happiness to your center, creating balance within. This breathing exercise strengthens the immune system by clearing out the negative and drawing in the positive.It also helps strengthen the lungs and build your lung capacity which aids in improving respiratory ailments such as asthma and respiratory irritations/infections. Additionally a deeper more focused breath can relax the nervous system decreasing blood pressure and anxiety.
Sitting comfortably, you may want to sit on a pillow to raise the hips (or sitting nice and tall in a chair),
starting to draw your focus inward with the breath. Clear and quiet your mind, become aware of your posture: sitz bones firmly grounding down to the earth and crown of your head rising towards heaven, creating outward balance and a good foundation for your exercise.
Lengthen your breath feeling the body grow taller with each inhalation and softening every muscle as you exhale. Imagine the breath moving in and out of your body as a wave on the beach. Feel the energy, welcome it deep into your body. Notice the subtle pauses at the top and bottom of your breath and naturally release the warmed breath … slow… and….relaxed. Feel your in breath expand and flow in through your nasal passages, sinus cavities, into your throat, chest and abdominal cavities. Notice if there are blockages or a smooth pathway.
Become aware of the mind quieting down and the body stilling. Tune your focus deeper as your surroundings drift further away into the back edges of your awareness. Relax
Repeat the following phrase several times, out loud or quietly to yourself:
I am Inhaling positive energy
I am Exhaling negative energy ……..
Slowly let the words drift away, watching them as they go; the breath slow and soft, soothing your body and soul. Take a few moments to observe the sensations that rise and fall. Let it all go…
As you feel ready, start to become aware of your posture again and any sounds surrounding you in your space. Take a moment to reflect on how you feel.
Cross your arms across your chest, hugging tightly, smiling inward in thanks. Hold for a few moments.
Release your arms when you are ready noticing the quiet calm within you. Vow to carry this with sensation in your heart as long as you can.
As you take your next breath in, raise your arms overhead gently pressing your palms together and exhale as you lower the palms into your heart center.
Namaste
Written by Patty Van Meter, RYT Iowa Yoga Therapy (Feb 2010)
Comments (1)
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe to the Blog
-
Announcements
-
Recent Blog Posts
-
Blog Topics
-
Archives
…more relaxed just for having read this!