| Pranayama is a wonderful method to reduce anxiety. | | | | eight times per day for 3 to 5 minute sessions. This |
| Pranayama originates from two Sanskrit words, | | | | should yield optimum results within a week, but it must |
| "Prana," which means universal energy, and "Yama," | | | | become a habit. |
| which means restraint. | | | | Another way to cultivate positive energy is to reverse |
| In effect, Pranayama is the cultivation of universal | | | | the, "Why me," mindset; how many times have you |
| energy through breath. You have the ability, within your | | | | heard somebody say - "Why me?" |
| being, to make sure the energy you cultivate is positive, | | | | Let's take a close look at "Why me," and put a positive |
| with the help of Pranayama and a positive mental | | | | "spin" on it. Why are we so lucky? Why do we have |
| attitude. | | | | Internet access? Why do we live at a time, so full of |
| There are many methods for the cultivation of Prana | | | | opportunities? |
| to choose from, but let's start with a deep natural | | | | Many of the most optimistic people, I know, are my |
| breath. This is the "breath of infants." When you watch | | | | Chair Yoga students from within the Providence, |
| a baby in the crib, notice how the stomach rises as he | | | | Rhode Island area and in the Greater Attleboro, |
| or she inhales. Then notice that the navel draws to the | | | | Massachusetts area. |
| spine on an exhale. | | | | Some of these Yoga students have ailments, |
| This is "natural breath," but this can often feel unnatural | | | | diseases, and health conditions such as: Cancer, |
| to adults, who have unconsciously been practicing a | | | | Alzheimer's disease, stroke, high blood pressure, |
| "half breath" from the diaphragm to the nose or mouth. | | | | Parkinson's, Frederick's Ataxia Syndrome, and a |
| The half breath does not allow for complete | | | | variety of heart problems. |
| expansion at the bottom of the lungs. | | | | To practice any form of Yoga, with such grace, and |
| In effect, the half breath method would not be good | | | | to the best of your ability, is a monumental task. When |
| for Yoga students, who have high blood pressure. | | | | I hear anyone, who can walk, or easily stand on two |
| Natural breath has wonderful blood pressure benefits, | | | | feet, make statements such as, "Life isn't fair" and "I |
| but could not be considered a cure. Why not? | | | | don't have enough time to take care of my health" - it |
| Most people, who learn the natural breathing technique, | | | | reminds me of Russell Conwell's book, "Acres of |
| will not be able to instill this Pranayama method as a | | | | Diamonds." |
| regular daily habit; let alone practice it all day, and every | | | | In a "nutshell," most people do not see how truly lucky |
| day - especially, if the Yoga student in question has a | | | | they are. Life's treasures are right under our noses. |
| life full of stress. | | | | Those who have faced major obstacles in life are the |
| So, how many times should someone practice natural | | | | greatest mentors, guides, and teachers any one of us |
| breath to reduce anxiety? To achieve tranquility, | | | | could ever have. |
| natural breath should be practiced every day, at least | | | | |