Do you find yourself sighing and yawning often as you try to catch your breath?
Do you usually breathe shallowly?
Are you usually holding your stomach muscles in tightly, keeping your breath in your chest?
You are not alone!
Sadly, our culture still often rewards people for stifling strong emotions, and being “strong.” Females are sometimes expected to rein in anger so they don’t seem “bossy.” Personally, calling me bossy is a compliment! Males are often exhorted not to cry. And we are all encouraged to work out our abs and hold our stomachs in.
But what happens when we hold back tears, stifle anger, and constantly restrict the flow into our abs? Unconsciously we hold our breath or breathe irregularly and can become a volcano of suppressed emotions.
This is not healthy!! We must effectively express our emotions and find ways to practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing. According to a published study by Harvard University in 2009, “Deep breathing is one of our body’s strongest self-healing mechanisms.”
Every time you inhale, you energize your body. Every time you exhale, you have the chance to relax your body. Every single breath taps into the parasympathetic nervous system, which directly affects how your body and mind feel.
When we take deep, calming breaths, our whole body relaxes and becomes calm. When we take shallow, nervous breaths, our body and mind tense up.
This is why it’s so important to learn to control your breath because it will empower you to impact your whole body…and your mind.
I help people learn how to deeply breathe in their meditation practice and access a state of deep relaxation. We actually take it a step further and implement intentional breathing exercises.
In this video you are going to learn one of my favorite deep breathing techniques that I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil.
Give me the term “breathe” below and I will send you the show notes from today’s video so that you will be able to work on this deep breathing technique.
With consistency, you will be able to quickly connect within and relax your nervous system, body and mind with deep breathing.
If we’ve not met, I’m Jen Dial and I help busy people plug into their inner peace, align with their purpose and achieve their health goals with meditation on a daily basis.
We do this using my signature Golden Particles Meditation Technique, via private coaching, group masterminds and our Meditation Library full of recorded meditations that help you navigate the valleys and peaks in life.
In a few minutes, I will walk you through this deep breathing technique. You will be able to practice this technique to help access that wonderful, tranquil space of relaxation.
Remember to enter “breathe” below for the show notes that will cover the deep breathing technique step-by-step.
Deep breathing can be practiced anytime, but when incorporated into a meditation practice, the benefits multiply. When you meditate consistently and practice deep breathing, you will improve your health and allow yourself to enter into a “flow state.”
One of my favorite teachers of our time, Thich Nhat Hanh says “Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.” Thay, as his students call him is absolutely correct. Deep breathing techniques help us in many ways, and it’s like sharing a smile.
Let’s begin our deep breathing technique now. I call this technique “The 4-7-8 Relaxing Breath.”
- Inhale through your nose for 4 counts.
- Hold your breath for 7 counts.
- Exhale through relaxed, pressed lips for 8 counts.
- Repeat again and again until you achieve the relaxed state that you desire.
Practice practice practice and it will become second nature for you to often deeply breathe…thus remaining in a relaxed state.
Whenever you feel stressed, anxious or worried, use this method to calm yourself down.
Try it before you go to sleep, and over time the quality of your sleep will improve…now that is golden!
I’ll see you right here next Tuesday at 10:00am PDT, for another value-packed video about improving your life. Please mark your calendar and join us!
And I will be teaching my masterclass soon, The 5 Essential Keys to Meditation in 10 Minutes/Day! Enter breathe to get on the list.
If you would like more information on my meditation masterminds, private programs and my Visions Living Library, please join the upcoming Masterclass, where I will share an exciting opportunity to work with our amazing group of light workers, just enter breathe below. We would love to invite you into our community.
I wish you a relaxed life, in which you deeply connect with yourself. Namaste.