Extraordinary BREATH
Hello beautiful Self-Care Goddesses,
Happy Wednesday! Hope you had a terrific week so far.
I’ve been travelling along the coast of Amalfi and I’m in total awe of its beauty. It’s been nice to take some much needed self-care and just literally soak in the natural beauty of this amazing coastline. Of course, I’ve been enjoying the amazing pizza and Aperols hehe. Check out my stories for a real-time update on my travels on Instagram or Facebook.
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Practicing gratitude can improve your physical health. People who actively express gratitude tend to be more engaged in activities to take care of their physical health, like eating well and exercising. This leads to higher energy levels, better sleep and a stronger immune system, or the ability to fight off illness or infection.
🙏🏽 Gratitude Practice 🙏🏽
One freedom I often take for granted is. . .
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Why is breathing extraordinary?
Breathing exercises and meditation reduce stress in our body, lowers heart rate, and helps to regulate our body and mind’s reaction to stress and fatigue!
An extraordinary breath is one that is long, deep, even, and smooth; effortless, it imparts the greatest benefit to your entire body, mind, and spirit. Like a gentle spring shower, your full, relaxed breath is bathing your body with life-sustaining oxygen molecules.
The normal breath merely sustains us. The extraordinary breath fulfills us. So make every breath count…
Join the monthly online New Moon Breathwork Experience. Purchase your online tickets here.
If you are planning on incorporating breathing exercises into your morning or evening routine from tomorrow itself, here are some top exercises to try:
- Pursed Lip Breathing
- Keep Neck and shoulders relaxed
- Inhale slowly through the nose for 2 counts as you keep the mouth closed
- Purse your lips similar to when you whistle
- Exhale very slowly as you blow through the pursed lips to a count of 4
2. Breath Focus Technique
- Lie down or sit comfortably
- Become aware of your breathing
- Alternate between deep and normal breaths
- Compare how you feel about deep breathing and shallow breathing
- Practice deep breathing for a couple of minutes
- Keep your belly relaxed and put one hand right below the belly button. Notice how the belly rises and falls with each inhale and exhale
- Practice this breath focus exercise with visual imagination and a word or phrase that will help you relax each time you visualise it.
3. Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Lie flat on the back with your knees bent and your head on a cushion or a pillow
- You can also place a pillow below the knee for added support
- Place one hand on the upper chest and the other on the rib cage so that you can feel as your diaphragm moves
- Inhale through the nose and feel the stomach press into the hand
- Keep the other hand very still
- Through your pursed lips, exhale very slowly as you keep the stomach muscles very tight
Check out my first podcast of Season 3 – “Happy 2nd Year Anniversary: Year In Review” episode #76 on the Self-Care Goddess Podcast.
4. Alternate Nostril Breathing
- Find a comfortable seated position and put the right hand to the nose
- Press the first and middle fingers down toward the palm and leave the other fingers elongated
- After each exhale make use of the right thumb to close the right nostril gently
- Now inhale through the left nostril and close the left nostril with the ring finger and right pinky
- Now do vice versa
- Continue this pattern for up to 5 complete cycles
5. Deep Breathing
- You can either stand or sit for this one
- Slightly draw your elbows back to open up the chest
- Inhale deeply through the nose
- Hold onto your breath for a count of 5
- Release the breath slowly by exhaling through the nose
6. Humming (Bee) Breath
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes
- Keeping your face muscles relaxed put your fingers on the tragus cartilage that covers the ear canal partially
- Inhale and while you exhale, gently press the fingers into the cartilage
- Keep the mouth closed and make a loud sound like that of a humming bee
- Do this technique for as long as you please
I invite you to watch my YouTube video on the “Humming Technique”
Breathing exercises heal us in many ways. They have immense physical, emotional, mental and spiritual benefits. Breathing exercises help us tremendously in reducing stress and relax. They also improve the efficiency of our lungs.
The best thing about breathing exercises is that they are easy to learn and can be practised anywhere. They do not require any special pieces of equipment.
I am a certified Breathwork Facilitator. Connect With Me to know more on the amazing power of breathwork and learn some breathwork techniques than can help you better manage yourself.
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