December 07, 2012 - Breathe Already! - I decided on breathwork and the importance of breathing as our healing topic today because this is something that I can relate to in a major way.
I confess to being an unconscious breath-holder and am writing this specifically for all breath-holders. Are you also member of the Breathholders Anonymous Club? Share your breathing tips.
I need to become more vigilant in conscious breathing. Whenever I am learning something new or working on a project that requires concentration, my breathing locks up. This is the worst thing that can happen when I'm trying to employ my brain, because holding my breath deprives the brain of oxygen. It can feel like a learning disability - really! So hard to learn stuff when the brain isn't allowed to function optimally.
Reminding myself to breathe consciously is a recurring lesson in my life. It's a bad habit of mine to withhold my breath when concentrating. I'm really good at conscious breathing when I'm doing my meditation... but that is only 20 minutes once or twice a day. I need to do better.
I have even caught myself holding my breath when watching television. It depends on the show. While watching cartoons I will laugh and breathe freely. While watching more intense dramas or suspense shows I will catch myself holding my breath (sometimes clinching my fists too!). I wouldn't be surprised if I almost turn blue before realizing I'm blocking my air passages. Whenever I catch myself holding or taking shallow breaths I will consciously take a deliberate deep cleansing breath.
In an attempt to nurture better breathing habits while writing this blog I am choosing to take a deep breath each time I type a period at the end of a sentence. Think I'll call this practice Punctuation Breathing! In fact, I challenge all shallow breathers to begin taking a cleansing breath at every punctuation mark whenever you are writing or reading. (breathe now) Feel better? (take another breath)
- Power and Mystery of Conscious Breathing
- How to Breath Through the Soles of Your Feet
- Breath Awareness Technique
~ Affirmation of the Day ~
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Good article- I suffer from chronic pain and anxiety. I also have a panic attack problem called Hyperventilation Syndrome. I’m a shallow breather, and just today my psychologist told me to “breathe from my stomach to lift up my diaphragm. He says one gets more O2 that way. I am really going to have to do this. I tend to hold my breath when I am in pain, too.
Thank you Erin. Sorry for your panic attacks, sounds like good advice from your psychologist. I can relate to holding your breath when in pain. I hold my breath when I’m cold… it is a reflex. So silly that I I do this… holding my breath isn’t going to make me feel warmer.