26 Jun One Simple Pranayama Technique To Reset Your Mind
Breathing is so natural to us we don’t really pay attention to it — something you do on autopilot until you almost forget to breathe and take a big gulp of air.
No surprise when life gets tough and busy, our breathing does, too. It becomes as erratic and fast-paced as your current emotional state. Literally, you’re trying to catch your breath. Sometimes you even almost forget to breathe and only notice it when someone says: Now take a deep breath… relax!
If this sounds like something you’ve experienced, then keep on reading. You’re not alone on this one, no worries!
It’s a fact that your emotions impact your breathing. But can breath also affect your emotions? Your thoughts? It sure does!
Think about how calm and relaxed you are walking out of a yoga class. Isn’t how you want to feel every day?! Hell yeah, you do! That’s because you’re paying more attention to your breath than your thoughts during class. TBH; it’s because the teacher guides you through your breath, one breath one movement. How can you achieve this chill state and easy breathing when you’re not in a yoga class?
That’s when Pranayama comes in. Prana what?
Short and sweet: Pranayama, means controlling your breath and its energies. It can be a powerful reset for your body and mind. You can indeed learn to control your mind by controlling your breath! Give this straightforward breathing exercise go anytime you need to calm, and chill out that chatty mind.
Try out this super simple breath exercise:
- Inhale, count 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Exhale, count 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Do this for 1 minute! That’s about 6 inhales, and 6 exhales.
Notice how you become calmer, more centred, a more even breath! It only takes minutes, doesn’t it? Now try this easy exercise for 5 minutes and begin to increase to 20 minutes, and you’ll be reaping the rewards.
Feeling like a new human, no? That’s how you want to feel every day. Calm and collected.
Now you are in the know of how your breath can impact your whole being. Next time you feel overwhelmed, take a step back, find a quiet space and get breathing. You got this, girl! Who runs the world? – Exactly!
There are so many different Pranayama techniques to choose, so once you have the hang of this one, why not spice it up. Have you tried alternative nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana)? Or Kapalbhati? The choice is yours. Yogaholics offers a collection of guided pranayama exercises just a click away. You can test them all out in the comfort of your living room or even on the bus. Sit back and let Troy, one of our favourite teachers, take you through a guided Nadi Shodhana practice. It only takes 5 minutes. Plus it will lower your heart rate and reduce your anxiety and stress levels.
You got this, yogi! One breath at a time.
Written by Fergus Higgins