| After a fast and furious day at work, do you ever | | | | probably spend a vast portion of your day on autopilot |
| arrive home tired, stressed and exhausted? Does your | | | | and not aware of the effects that stress is having on |
| head ache; your body feel tense and your mind | | | | you. By the time you arrive home, your body is stiff, |
| cluttered and full? | | | | tense and tight from holding stress. |
| If your life is anything like mine then the chances are, | | | | Learning to breathe correctly helps you to reduce the |
| once at home, your evening is equally demanding as | | | | wear and tear of stress on your body. Breathing |
| you prepare dinner, listen to your children, look over | | | | correctly oxygenates the blood which nourishes your |
| their homework, squeeze in a phone call to your | | | | mind, body and soul. |
| parents and/or friends as well as think about all the | | | | Yoga encourages you to be more conscious of what |
| outstanding tasks to do at work before tomorrow's | | | | is happening inside your body. Combined with yoga |
| team meeting. | | | | breathing exercises you develop a heightened sense |
| Breathing exercises form the essence of yoga. The | | | | of awareness and sensitivity about yourself and your |
| Sanskrit word for breath is "prana", which is also | | | | immediate environment. As you learn how to breathe |
| another word for energy. Proper breathing is an | | | | correctly you are empowered to stay calm, to return |
| essential part of relaxation. The way you breathe | | | | to your centre and refocus your energy when going |
| impacts upon your health, your emotions and energy | | | | through a stressful situation. |
| levels. | | | | To conclude, learning how to breathe fully offers you a |
| Have you noticed that when you are tense your | | | | simple way to calm your nervous system and |
| breath is fast and shallow or you may even hold your | | | | increase oxygen levels and blood supply to the internal |
| breath when stressed? Conversely, when you are | | | | organs, all of which can lead to a deeper sense of |
| angry your breathing is rapid and sharp or; when you | | | | calm, inner peace and balance. |
| are sad and depressed your breath is uneven and | | | | Breathing correctly is a beautiful skill you can use |
| slightly jumpy. However when you are relaxed, happy | | | | anytime during the day when you feel overwhelmed, |
| and joyful your breath is slow and even. | | | | confused, in pain or anxious and you want to feel calm |
| During your day, you are often so busy that you do | | | | and relaxed. |
| not have time to think about how you are feeling. You | | | | |