We Can Breathe In Space

How to reduce stress with breath awareness
You can survive without food for weeks, without water for days but without oxygen for several minutes! But most of us spend little time thinking about our breath. As the Oxford University Press reminds us, "breathing years ago, was synonymous with life itself, for the" last breath "its absence means death and the departure of the soul." Similarly, in Yoga, the Sanskrit word for breath is prana, which also means life energy.









When we bring our awareness of our breathing, slow us down and we begin to realize the deeper layers of ourselves, our thoughts and feelings. Did you know that when we are under stress, some of us hold our breath? Other times, we just breath very shallow. We unconsciously adopt our life force and cause more stress in our body. If you begin to practice mindful breathing (deliberately focusing on and noticing your breath), your body relax and the mind becomes more focused.









The breath may be more of a bodily function, it can be a powerful tool for stress reduction and a trusted friend. He is always there for you. When you give your attention, it brings you inside, away from all the external and bustle in the present moment. Throughout the book, the practice of The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle proposes to use the breath as a tool to come in NOW.









Focus on the breath and mind naturally slows down the whole body relaxes. The monkey mind "becomes less nervous. Most meditation practices include some form of breath awareness, because it relaxes the body and focus the mind. Try the following strategies to reduce stress.









Helpful Hints:




1.Next time you feel tense or confused, change your focus on your breathing. Notice how your breath moves in your body (or does not move, if you hold your breath). Then count each inhale and exhale, silently, "One" inspiration, "Two" on the exhale, etc.




2. To relax even deeper, try counting only exhales.




3. For more concentration, focus on the space between the breath. The space where the end becomes the inspiration and inspiration is the end, etc.









Practicing conscious breathing regularly brings inner peace and deep relaxation. As thoughts slow down, and the mind becomes clear, you can be aware of the limitation of free thoughts, you can make room for new ways of thinking and you can communicate with insight and profound wisdom. "Breathe. Let go. And remember that this moment is that you know that you certainly" ~ Oprah Windfrey.