“Take a breath” — “Just breathe”
These are things that people might tell us to be helpful. But often, just the suggestion to breathe makes us hold our breath!
How can we break that pattern of holding our breath or breathing quickly and shallowly?
There are many styles of breathing and breath-work. Some are more complicated than others with patterns of inhalation, pause and exhalation.
These may work for some or may cause more anxiety for others.
If you’re breathing in a shallow fashion and try to jump to an elongated inhalation of 6 seconds, for example, it’s almost like trying to drive your car 60 miles per hour without going 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 miles per hour first!
Let’s see if we can simplify things.
The first step is to just observe our breath without judgment or expectation.
Focus on your breath when you get overwhelmed.
Here is a short 3 minute video on observing your natural breath that my colleague Veda Spidle* created.
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Once you have spent some time observing your breath, it might be helpful to count the length of your inhalations and match your exhalations. For example, if you inhale for 2 seconds, try to exhale for 2 seconds. As you follow this simple rhythm, your breath cycles may automatically lengthen. Continue to match the length of your exhalation to your inhalation.
If your body assists you with a spontaneous deep breath, notice it, enjoy it and appreciate it.
Remember, you can only breathe in the present. You can’t use past breaths or save up for the future. So enjoy each breath!
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Sari has participated on the Teaching Team for multiple introductory and advanced Craniosacral Therapy courses, and a series of Concussion courses with Michael Shea PhD, including several courses in Switzerland. Sari was on an international teaching team in Switzerland in the Spring for a Neonatal Cardiovascular Craniosacral Therapy course.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SARI >>
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