Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.
~Chinese Proverb
~Chinese Proverb
Can something as simple as the act of breathing change your demeanor? Try taking a series of quick and shallow breaths through your mouth. How does that make you feel? Now take a full exhalation, let your shoulders drop and take a few deep but gentle breaths, through your nose. How does that make you feel?
An increase in carbon dioxide may induce negative emotions (1) by triggering an inborn stress response. If we were suffocating then yes, it would be important for our bodies to respond with the fight or flight reflex. How bizarre to think that we could induce that same response just by the quality of our breath!
We discussed the importance of relaxation during childbirth in Friday's Prenatal Yoga class and the role of pranayama in learning to relax. The expectant mothers are learning to control their breathing and relaxing during exertion. It's a practice that's beneficial for all human bodies.
In times of pain and mental stress, slow deep breaths can bring instant relief, lower your heart rate and blood pressure. We come into this life with an inhalation and leave with an exhalation. Paying attention to the quality of those breaths in between the first and the last, makes all the difference.
An increase in carbon dioxide may induce negative emotions (1) by triggering an inborn stress response. If we were suffocating then yes, it would be important for our bodies to respond with the fight or flight reflex. How bizarre to think that we could induce that same response just by the quality of our breath!
We discussed the importance of relaxation during childbirth in Friday's Prenatal Yoga class and the role of pranayama in learning to relax. The expectant mothers are learning to control their breathing and relaxing during exertion. It's a practice that's beneficial for all human bodies.
In times of pain and mental stress, slow deep breaths can bring instant relief, lower your heart rate and blood pressure. We come into this life with an inhalation and leave with an exhalation. Paying attention to the quality of those breaths in between the first and the last, makes all the difference.
(1) Griez EJ, Colasanti A, van Diest R, Salamon E, Schruers K (2007) Carbon Dioxide Inhalation Induces Dose- Dependent and Age-Related Negative Affectivity. PLoS ONE 2(10): e987. doi:10.1371/journal.pone
Photo: AK Travelers
Submitted to The Kathleen Show, Prevention Not Prescription