Why Are We Never Taught How to Use Our Breath?
Posted on 14th October 2024 at 14:43
Your breath guides you and when it is truly understood, it provides a sense of grounding felt like no other. You not only hear the spoken words but the words from the heart, too.
Of course, we all breathe each day. Our breath comes and goes, and our ears hear the sounds we tune into but, ask yourself, do you fully understand your unique breath?
Slow, deep breathing activates the ‘rest and digest’ response.
This we could all do with more of – the opposite to ‘fight or- flight’ which all too easily seems to activate instead, certainly for me! I thought I knew how to breathe; I’ve been breathing all my life. Our body naturally breathes, of course, but why are we not taught when young, at school, the benefits of breathing? How to control it, how to use our breath to relax, reduce panic, be present, focus. I for one wish this was something I was taught much earlier as the benefits are endless.
Effective breathing can help you …
Feel less stressed.
Promote relaxation.
Lower your blood pressure.
Connect with yourself.
Ground yourself.
Stop panic.
Boost the immune system.
Aid better sleep.
Move more freely.
When practising mindfulness and meditation regularly you become aware of your breath on many occasions. When you breathe in your tummy expands. When you breathe out your tummy draws in. Tiny pauses between each breath.
When teaching mindfulness – with both children and adults – it has become clear that most people draw in their stomach when breathing in and on exhaling they push their tummy out.
When naturally breathing this won’t be the case but when you are asked to bring attention sometimes people focus on the words rather than the breath itself.
In becomes in. Out become out.
Do you know how to use your breath? Take a moment now to notice where you feel your own. Notice the pause between breaths, the power there. The power in the pause alone.
Contact me for a conversation if you’d like and unlock your limitless life, the power that’s already inside you!
Read more on my website, or in my book ‘Desperate to be Loved’
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