Wellness Circle

August 2008

Conscious Breathing

Conscious breathing coordinates our mind and body bringing us into a deep experience with present moment awareness. This is a technique that can be utilized through out the day to help us experience life more fully, allowing us to shift our perspective from one of tension and high expectation to one of relaxation and ease.

Technique:

1. Adjust your body so you that you are in proper body alignment.
a. Set on the edge of a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your spine naturally erect.
b. Extent your head upward from your crown point (top of the head), elongating your spine, while allowing the shoulders to relax downward into a central position.
c. Rest your hands comfortably on your lap.
d. If you are in an appropriate setting, gently close the eyes.

2. Allow your awareness to be present with the in and out motion of your breath. When the mind wonders, gently bring it back to the breath. Continue this until the body has relaxed and the mind as become settled. If you only have a few minutes, do what you can. With practice, you will be surprise how quickly you can bring yourself back into the present moment in a relaxed, gentle manner.

Although this sounds simple, which it can be with practice, it is very profound. This technique can be performed while sitting, standing, walking and laying down (covering most positions). Practice and the benefits will be apparent.

Wishing you wellness,
Jeremy