Breath Magic : So Laugh

Breath Magic #15

A good belly laugh is said to be the best medicine!

When we laugh we exercise our abdominal muscles
which has a positive affect on our digestive system,
it also raises our pulse rate which stimulates and tones
our circulatory system and it strengthens our respiratory
system by utilising the full capacity of the lungs.

Prana (or life force) enters our body via the breath
 .. so strong and healthy lungs are essential to wellbeing
 of body and spirit.

SO LAUGH!

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Cheeky or Shy?

Breath Magic #14

The way we breathe is a great barometer of
where we are in life
(and with regards to tension and relaxation).

 When deeply relaxed (like in meditation) our breath
can slow to less than 6 breaths per minute ..
when we are under pressure to meet a deadline
our breath can speed up to 20 breaths per minute.

Notice during your day how your breath is moving ..
does it reflect your level of stress/relaxation?

Getting to know our breath (like a good friend) gives us a
 tremendous insight into how we are travelling ..
and if we need to make a change in our activities.

 FAST OR SLOW .. HIGH OR LOW .. CHEEKY OR SHY?

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : What We Resist, Persists

Breath Magic #13

Approx 1/3 of pain is the mind habitually reacting to pain ..
the mental attitude and aversion to pain.

If we learn to focus our attention on the breath and not
tighten up against the pain (which causes further tension)
some pain will begin to soften and subside.

Recent research of chronic pain management found
meditation more effective than morphine.

Start small however.

Paper cuts/headaches/tummy grumbles are best to start with
 .. try relaxing at your desk and just focus on you breath.

Hold a gentle smile on your face and see if you can accept
pain rather than start a war with it.

WHAT WE RESIST, PERSISTS
{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Right Nostril Breath

Breath Magic #12

Breathing correctly can significantly improve our focus and attention.

So next time you need to be super alert ~
cover your left nostril with your thumb and
 breathe only through your right nostril for one minute.

Notice what happens.

As yogis have known for centuries the breath
has amazing recuperative powers.

The Right Nostril is connected with the ‘THINKING’
hemisphere of the brain
(the left nostril is connected with the ‘sensing’ hemisphere).

RIGHT NOSTRIL BREATH

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Observe The Pause

Breath Magic #11

To move away from the chaotic busyness that often
overtakes our day, take a moment to find your 'pause'.

In meditation the 'pause' is the stillness and
silence that sits at the end of the exhalation.

Resting peacefully bring your awareness to your breath
 and observe the gradual arrival of a brief and natural
'pause' at the end of the exhalation.

We allow the breath to completely leave the body and then wait ..
don't race towards the next inhalation, but patiently observe
the pause and the approaching wave of the next breath ..

then gratefully receive that breath

OBSERVE THE PAUSE
{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Easy Long Deep Quietly

Breath Magic #9

Meditation and pranayama (breath practices) have
recently been shown to increase levels of the anti-ageing
hormone, DHEA (as well as growth hormones) which play a
role in growth and repair ..

slowing down degeneration through ageing

When we breath efficiently and effectively (like in meditation)
we stimulate the vagus nerve which plays a major role in controlling
inflammation in the body (inflammation plays a key role in ageing).

Breath

EASY, LONG, DEEP, QUIETLY


{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Watch Your Breath

Breath Magic #8

Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating clear, stable,
non judgemental awareness of the present moment.

Simply observing this moment.

Mindfulness practices build attention, focus and insight.

Try watching two complete cycles of breath .. from the start
of the inhalation through to the very end of the exhalation.

Its tricky!

Mostly our minds like to wander off .. but the pasture the mind
wanders too is often negative, self doubting and troublesome thinking.

So we learn to bring our awareness back to the breath.
Returning to the breath every time we notice the mind has wandered.

It's tougher than it sounds.

WATCH YOUR BREATH FOR ONE MINUTE


{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Release Your Belly

Breath Magic #6

Constricting or pulling in your stomach can severely
reduce your oxygen intake and leave your with a
nagging feeling of discomfort and unease.

Restricting your oxygen intake comprises
the health of your body.

 To invite oxygen deep into your abdomen, loosen your
clothing and allow some time in your day to
indulge in a fully relaxed and open belly.

Many ancient traditions believe that our belly area
is where we hold our emotions
 .. and this area is often also seen as our seat of power.

RELEASE YOUR BELLY

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Just Sigh

Breath Magic #5

A conscious exhale or SIGH (a longer exhalation through the nose)
will remove stagnant carbon dioxide from the very bottom of your lungs

and a deep sigh (or strong exhale)
will help release heavy and negative thoughts.

Hearing a SIGH your brain knows all is ok in the world.

JUST SIGH

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Right Now

Breath Magic #4

When you focus on your inhalation - your body will automatically
take a slightly longer inhalation (which refreshes)

When you focus on your exhalation your body automatically
takes a slightly longer exhalation (which is calming)

What do you need

RIGHT NOW?
 

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Breathe Deeper

Breath Magic #3

A good deep breath is one in which we fill not only the upper and
middle sections of the lungs .. but also engage the lower lung area.

Deeper inhalations, slower breathing and a larger volume of air
in the lungs - improves our sense of ease and calmness.

 BREATHE DEEPER

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Revive

Breath Magic #2

Our breath not only impacts our sense of wellbeing it also

impacts our capacity to think effectively.

When our brain gets insufficient or inefficient oxygen we tend

to feel depleted and fatigued

 .. due to oxygen deficiency in our cells.

Take a nice DEEP BREATH .. revive and refresh

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic : Focused Attention

Breath Magic #1

When you focus your attention on a pleasant subject your breath shifts

subtly into a more relaxed mode and lifts your sense of wellbeing.

 Remember that holiday? that day out? that romantic dinner?

{You can follow our Breath Magic series for the month of January via our Facebook Page here}

Breath Magic

Meditation = quiet mind

In meditation we bring together body+mind+breath.

When we bring conscious awareness to our breath .. magic happens.

Starting tomorow we are featuring a new series on Facebook called Breath Magic where we aim to encourage you to PAUSE and focus on your BREATH .. because that momentary focus can be transformational.  You can join us on FACEBOOK or follow us here each day.

Happy Breathing everyone!