Breathing: The Way Back to Balance

“If you don’t like what’s happening in your life, change your mind.”

This brief quotation from the Dalai Lama reminds me that my experience of life changes as I do. As I change, I change the way I influence - and am influenced by - my surroundings.

How are you inventing your life today? How does the way you think affect your actions? And how might you become more aware of the process?

A centering breath is a place to start.

When you're stressed, in conflict, or otherwise under pressure, do you hold your breath? Most people do. When you stop the natural flow of air, you become tense and unbalanced, physically and emotionally. Your body, mind and spirit are disconnected.

One of the easiest ways to regain your balance is to start breathing again. Open your throat, relax your body and allow inspiration to take place. Inspiration–a great word, isn't it? Your breath is your life energy that connects to inner wisdom, resources and strength.

A good way to practice centering is to notice how often you hold your breath. The awareness will trigger you to start breathing again. The more you notice, the less you'll hold your breath, and the more relaxed and centered you'll be.

This practice will also connect you to your purpose–for the interaction, for the project, for the relationship. Your reason for doing what you're doing. Perhaps even your reason for being. When you stop breathing, you disconnect from your self and from the world. It's a natural reaction to stress or pressure. And you can re-pattern. With intention and awareness, you can create a new response that is helpful instead of not. Try noticing your breathing more often. And watch what happens!

Good ki!
Judy Ringer