The power of breath

How can we turn a situation round in any moment? In 10 seconds we can shut out the stress and choose to let it go and not be of it. We can release our tension and let the breath carry it away. The breath is a powerful tool in yoga and brings in the powerful life force. Do you breathe shallowly and quickly grasping for air but never fully oxygenating your body or hold your breath and not take in enough that way. How often do you bring in long slow relaxed breaths. Do you ever fill your lungs to capacity and let them empty fully before you draw another breath?

When I focus on what my body is doing I usually notice that i'm holding my breath and my thoughts and feelings hang heavy with it. When i'm trying to get somewhere on time and a car cuts me off in traffic or an argument starts near me I hold my breath in and tense up. In the moment I realise that i'm holding my breath and let go letting my breath flow I choose not to be a part of that outside influence and come back into myself knowing I don't need to react and don't need to be bothered by other things. I am me and not the sum of my environment. I close my eyes if I can and take a deep breath down into my chest then abdomen and then release waiting till I feel empty again before I draw another slow breath. I focus inward making my out breaths the same length as my in breaths. With my breath I take in life and energy and with the flow I release what I don't need and any thoughts or emotions that aren't mine or aren't serving me.

Take a moment notice your breath without changing it. What does it tell you about how you are? Are you stressed or busy with outside thoughts maybe your not in the moment or trully in yourself. Feel yourself and draw in that breath feeling it travel all the way to your navel. Breath out fully let the breath flow until it won't flow any longer then try drawing in a longer breath. Three breaths is usually enough to completely change your mental and physical state. Relax close your eyes breathe and let your body go heavy slowly working your way from the tips of your toes to all the different parts of your head inside and out. Spend ten minutes like this and wake yourself up, how different do you feel? Imagine if you did this every night before bed letting go of everything that happened that day good or bad. Letting your breath carry away everything preparing you for sleep.

Allow your breath to soothe your emotions next time someone challenges you to a screaming match or picks a fight take a breath and act without reacting. Allow your breath to take away the tension in your shoulders or your headache breathe into your muscles take the breath to the pain and tension and draw it out seeing the pain go with the breath. Allow your breath to give you strength draw in the strength you need and know that you can do what you need to do. Let your breath draw your attention inwards blocking out external distractions, clear your mind to help you receive an answer or make a decision. In a moment you can change your situation and choose how you want to react. That is the power of the breath.