Harnessing the Power of ‘The Breath’ During CHANGING Times

We are living in extraordinary times right now, that’s for sure. There are always multiple ways to view anything that happens and as always that decision is up to each of us as individuals. It depends on how we see the world, show up in the world and be in the world.

One thing is for sure the fastest virus spreading right now is fear and it’s a pandemic that has taken so many people in. The problem with fear is that it depletes your i8mmune system which is exactly what we don’t want right now. It also turns off your pre-frontal cortex in your brain which is the region responsible for behaviour, speech, and reasoning. So when we are in fear and stressed we can’t even reason with ourselves never mind trying to figure out what is going on outside of us. It plays a cardinal role in organising behavior and cognitive activities. So it’s the general that gives the orders and when you shut the general down and cut him off, his army can’t hear him and they are all running around frazzled and in a frenzy.

This is why the most important thing you can do at this time is to get to know ‘The Breath’. Sure you’re probably immune to thinking that such a simple act could be so powerful. Think of breathing as the agent for great change within. ‘The Breath’ puts the general back safely in his job and once again brings order to chaos within. ‘The Breath’ is actually an unknown superhero, happy to continue his work in the background without any accolades or awards. ‘The Breath’ doesn’t crave public recognition but ‘The Breath’ does want to be recognised as a superhero in your life. The relationship can be private and what ‘The Breath’ promises is that once you decide to work with it, it will give you 110% at all times. It will show up for you day and night, 24/7, 365 days a year. Now it’s already working away in the background because you are alive but when you connect consciously and enter a relationship with ‘The Breath’ your life will change in unimaginable ways forever.

The Breath brings you back into your body and turns your mind back on so you can think rationally again and see clearly. It boosts immunity, reconnects you with your body, cleanses toxins, helps to release stress and allows you to breathe in new energy. This new energy works like a transformer as we let go of the old to bring in the new. The Breath brings help, hope and security at a time when we feel helpless and unable to feel secure in the world without.

There are many different breathing practices to try. Here are some of my favourites:

HEART FOCUSED BREATHING

As a trained Heartmath facilitator and coach I have both experienced and seen the power of heart-focused breathing in action. Not only does it reconnect you to your authentic self, it also awakens your internal emotional support system.

Directions

Place your hand on your heart or bring your awareness to your heart area and begin to practice heart-focused breathing.

Long slow deep breaths in and out of the heart area. Continue with this for 3 minutes.

Then bring to mind something you are grateful for or something that brings you joy.

Here we are cultivating a good feeling emotion and shifting our state. Stay with this as long as you like.

REMEMBER You can come home to your heart anytime anywhere. Any time you feel stressed at work, home or when you are out and about by simply placing your hand on your heart you are sending the signal to your heart to open and this encourages a settling within.

BOX BREATH

I love this breath and it really works. Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4 and hold for 4 and repeat 10 times.

4/7/8 BREATH TECHNIQUE

I first started using this many years ago when my anxiety was really bad. I love Dr. Andrew Weil’s work and back then I began to practice this breath 2-3 times a day and my chronic anxiety finally became manageable

Listen to my anxiety video from 5:50 minutes for the breathing technique

THE WIM HOF TECHNIQUE

Wim Hof has become a world-renowned master in the field of breathing and harnessing the power of breath to overcome pretty much anything including withstanding extreme cold temperatures, banishing anxiety and boosting immunity. I have been using his technique every day with my son and it feels amazing.