Mindful Living

The Breath Of Life - By Rebecca Duncan

Reading time: 3 minutes

In the rhythm of our daily lives, the simple act of breathing* often goes unnoticed. Yet, with each inhale and exhale, we are gifted with the essence of life itself. From an anatomical perspective, our inhalation quickens the pace of our heartbeat, while the exhalation slows it down.

What’s even more beautiful is that, although our breath is part of the autonomic nervous system, meaning it occurs automatically, our breath breathes us. It is a fundamental aspect of our being that we can both control and influence.

In this symbiotic relationship, we find the profound connection between our breath and our existence, a reminder of the power and grace inherent in every breath we take.

Consider this: on average we breath 21,000 times a day. What if we spend even just 1% of this time in awe of our breathing system and its profound impact on our well-being?

Let’s go on a journey together.

While you’re reading these words start to lengthen out your breath.

Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing its natural filtration to purify the air, and exhale slowly, feeling the calming vibration resonate through your nervous system.

Now start to count the length of your breath.

Are your inhalations and exhalations balanced or does one surpass the other? Work towards a balanced and even breath count, aiming for a steady count of five. This intentional balanced breathwork is known as sama vritti pranayama (equal length breath), fosters harmony with our breath cycle, guiding us towards the optimal respiratory rhythm.

Join me in this practice; either seated or standing. Allow your spine to be tall so that your breathing muscles and organs can easily move and your shoulders are soft away from your ears.

Bring your hands to your belly and encourage your breath to travel deep as if you were breathing into your belly. Let your breath be smooth and steady inhaling for a count of five and exhaling for a count of five.

Inhale: 2, 3, 4, 5

Exhale: 2,3, 4, 5

Spend a few minutes of your time in this rhythmic breathing.

Beyond its physiological benefits, this practice serves as a gentle reminder to our nervous system: we are in command, composed, and grounded.

You can incorporate and benefit from this intentional breathing practice in your everyday life:

During your morning commute
At lunch time before you eat
In moments of stress at work or home
Before bedtime to promote relaxation and restful sleep

Whether amidst chaos or calm, this technique offers a sanctuary for clarity and composure. By nurturing our ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, we cultivate a sense of inner resilience and peace.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Viktor E Frankl

In that space we can find solace in the simple act of breathing, and it is within this tranquil sanctuary that we discover the essence of our being a place where clarity emerges and resilience flourishes.

Join Becky’s yoga classes where breath led movement is celebrated as a cornerstone of practice, where the exploration of breath and its transformative power is woven into every session.

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