Sat Naam and Namaste Beautiful You
Happiness is a state of mind, so the real source of happiness must lie within the mind, not in external conditions.
– Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatoso
This is not always that easy to attain. We all have a history and our own unique story that brought us here, to this moment in time. I want to offer you a very gentle reminder to take some time for YOU. We need to carve out windows for our self care, to access that state of happiness that lives inside of each of us, it just gets lost sometimes. Did you know that your nervous system gets overwhelmed by the constant stimulation of our present day world; we start to break down if we don’t take time to restore equilibrium. It is vital to our health to take the needed breaks in our day to re-calibrate, reconnect with our breath, and give ourselves space to let go of the stress we accumulate over time. This can be as short as a 3 minute breath practice.
To join Amber for a simple little practice and a check in click here
The majority of individuals use only 1/3 of their lung capacity; we have forgotten how to breathe fully. People are often unconscious to their breath, letting the chaotic external rhythm of life dictate their internal rhythm. When our bodies are under a lot of stress, or we’re deeply concentrating we often hold our breath, or revert to rapid shallow breathing, which in turn creates more internal stress on the body and the mind. Only when you’re breathing fully is your body actually capable of responding positively to stress. Taking a simple full deep breath helps a person to relax, decrease their stress, and calm their mind.
HOW TO BREATHE FOR RELAXATION: THE FULL RESTING BREATH – TECHNIQUE
- Sit in a comfortable position, with your back as straight as supports you (using support if needed) – this allows for a greater ease in your breathing.
- Inhale slowly, through your nose – breathing deeply and consciously
- Take 5 seconds – first fill the lower part of your lungs, feeling your abdomen push out as you inhale making space for your diaphragm, bring the breath to the middle of your lungs feeling your ribs expanding, now into your upper chest – the upper part of your lungs
- Slowly begin your exhale to a count of 5, allowing the air to leave from your upper chest, your rib cage, and now slowly pulling your abdomen back and in towards your spine – allowing your body to rid itself of any stale O2 and stagnation in the bottom of your lungs
- Briefly pause after the exhale, and allow the next inhalation to begin
- Repeat steps A to E at least 5 times in repetition, 3 times a day
- If it helps, while introducing this breath into your body, do so with your eyes closed and simply concentrate and feel the inflow and outflow of your breath, if your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Did you know that a seemingly simple resting breath, as described above, provides your body with the following benefits:
- Purification of the blood stream
- Relaxes the chest and diaphragm
- Allows a more relaxed state in the muscles of the chest wall
- Strengthens the lungs, thorax and abdomen
- Increases resistance to colds
- Calms the nervous system, calms the mind
- Aids digestion, massages your internal organs
- Increases confidence
- Clears phlegm
- Helps to lift depression
With so much love
Amber