Complete Breathing Technique for Stress Reduction!

Complete Breathing (3,2,1  1,2,3)

Here is a simple breathing technique I teach in yoga. Try this and tell us how you feel.

Sit or lie down. Hands may be relaxed by the sides or you may place one hand on the abdomen and the other on the rib cage to check that you are breathing correctly. This is good for beginners to actually feel the area into which they are supposed to be breathing.

Inhaling slowly through the nose, feel the abdomen expand first, then the rib cage, and finally feel the air filling the upper chest. Your abdomen will automatically be drawn in as the ribs move out and the chest expands. Slowly exhale, emptying the lungs from top to bottom. Your shoulders and head should stay essentially in the same position throughout; don’t raise your shoulders on the inhale or slouch forward on the exhalation.  Your inhalation and exhalation should be about the same length of time. Do not hold your breath either at the top or the bottom of the breath, but make the transition smooth. Inhalation is done from the bottom up and exhalation from the top down. Repeat 5 times

Benefit – this is the technique you will probably use most often to combat the tensions and stress in your life. You can use it anywhere, anytime to calm your mind and help quiet physical responses to stress – rapid heartbeat and breathing, and tense muscles. Use this technique to center yourself before your meditation and before asana practice to make them even more effective.

Yoga has started, and the programs are set up until mid June 2015. If you wish to drop in or buy some sessions please inquire with us at info@liveinmotion.ca