In yoga classes I often say to students, “Here’s something you can do while the kettle boils”. A few minutes of simple, precious movements can make such a difference to your body, mind and emotional attitude throughout the day.
This month we’ll investigate the breath – a precious and profound process with us from birth to death. It connects body and mind, physical and mental health. Yet strangely, we rarely pay attention to how we’re breathing.
When stressed, breath tends to be shallow and fast; when depressed, it feels stuck and laboured. In both cases, taking a deep breath feels difficult. Our state of mind can constrict breath flow, as can our posture. Slouching at the desk, couch or car seat restricts natural breath flow into the lungs.
Conversely, breath can support us mentally and physically by bringing awareness to our state and assisting movement towards greater wellbeing. Simply said, breath awareness brings us into the moment, where we can choose pathways towards befriending how we feel physically, mentally and emotionally. When we feel good, it’s easy to befriend what is. But when the proverbial hits the fan and we face difficult times, staying present feels more challenging. It’s not easy sitting with truth sometimes – here’s where breath offers great assistance.
Try this: sit slumped and notice your breath and how you feel physically and mentally. Now sit or stand upright, opening your chest by turning arms out or lifting them to the side. You might feel inclined to yawn or take a deeper breath.
Blood circulation isn’t solely due to the heart pumping – it’s the combination of breath, physical movement and heart pump creating efficient blood flow throughout the body.
Your practice this month: become more aware of posture and breath. Stand or sit long in the spine, relaxed in the shoulders. Allow breath to become longer, smoother, deeper. Gently breathe towards the abdomen, letting breath out as you relax any tension.
Try this throughout the day, or at least while the kettle boils. Allow breath’s supportive, focusing nature to encourage your inner smile.
