Breathe your way to wellbeing

2020 has been an extraordinary year of trauma, loss, and upheaval of life as we know it.

It is also a year that provides us with an extraordinary opportunity to do things differently, and to think  more creatively about what each of us can do to transform this time of change into a positive gain for the wellbeing of our natural environment and life on Earth.

Each one of us can play a part in making a bad situation good…but first we need to harness some tools and techniques that can enable us to be clear-headed about our intended direction - that will define what we want from life now, and how and what we are prepared to do to achieve our aims.

So where do we begin?

The first thing we all do shortly after we are each born is to take a deep breath. From that moment on, breathing sustains our capacity to be ‘alive’ for the rest of our lives. Learning to breathe holistically i.e. employing not only our lungs, but also our nasal passages, diaphragm and abdominal muscles is one of the most important things we can ever learn to do as human beings.

Why? Because learning to breathe efficiently enhances our wellbeing in a multitude of different ways. We can find we think more clearly, we have a happier disposition, we can be more creative, we can have a greater understanding about the world we live in and therefore enjoy more empathy, compassion and tolerance. We are more peaceful and loving. We are simply better in every way. The physical mechanics of breathing well not only oxygenate our blood and brain but also help our physical form to perform better. Believe me, it is worth spending some time and energy in learning how to breathe well. Put some time into improving your breathing, and you will feel much more alive, awake and clear headed.

Learning to breathe well just takes a little patience and regular  practise.

Here are some steps to get you started.

Find a place where you can lay stretched out on your back and relax for 10-20 minutes undisturbed. You should be in comfortable clothing, nothing too tight or constricting, and without shoes. Keep in mind that 10-20 minutes may feel like a long time in the beginning, you can always start with a five minute stint, and build your way to a longer session.

Breathe in through your nose and hold your breath for 5 seconds

Breathe out as you contract you tummy muscles and draw in your abdomen tight. This breathing out part with contraction is key to effective breathing and can increase your oxygen uptake by up to 80%. As you begin to relax, work on increasing the time between breaths.

In time, with regular practise you will find your abdominal muscles will strengthen. Your lower back muscles will become stronger and you will notice your waistline becoming trimmer. Increasingly you will find yourself feeling more relaxed and energised, and you'll find you have the inspiration to keep breathing well.

If you have any questions feel free to send me a note through my contact form.

Warmest regards,

Tana