Breathing is largely subconscious and automatic. We don’t think about it. Our lungs take in air, our body absorbs oxygen, the oxygen is circulated throughout the body, and our body uses it to keep us going. It is simple and necessary.
What happens when we choose to become aware of our breath and change it from an automated breath to a conscious breath? What happens to our mind and our body?
Ever feel tired while you’re working on something and don’t want to stop working? There is evidence that focused, conscious breath (Pranayama) can change our psychophysiological state bringing more focus and energy to us. [1] Grooving in the flow, trying for a deadline, studying for a test, or preparing for an event can leave us feeling the need for a bubble of energy to help us reach our goal. Instead of grabbing coffee or an energy drink, experiment with your breath.
There is a way to create energy using conscious breathing techniques. A few similar techniques, Kapalbhati, Dynamic Breathing, Breath of Fire, or Bellows Breathing can bring rich oxygenation to the body and brain and renew energy without stimulants.
Try the brief and easy technique below to create a surge of bright energy!
Breathing Exercise
- Take a comfortable seat with enough room to hold your arms outstretched to your side and rotate from the waste side to side, like washing machine agitator.
- Set a timer for 1 minute.
- Place your fingertips on the top of your shoulders with your arms up and elbows out to your side.
- Take 3 full, deep and purposeful belly breaths.
- On the 3rd exhale, rotate your body at the waste to your right side.
- Now, twist at the waist toward your left side and inhale while you are twisting.
- Twist again to your right side and exhale while you are twisting, fully pushing the air out using your diaphragm.
- Create rhythm and cadence in this movement. Moving from right to left in one second works well for me.
- Each breath is full and purposeful.
That’s it! You’re 2 minutes from natural boost of energy!
0 Comments