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Breathing and Relaxing

Before I begin to discuss the benefits of yoga and Pilates, I would like to introduce you to a most important element that they both have in common. Breath. You don't need to fall into the stress mode of life. You can use breath to relax, rather than stress, your mind and body.

Deep breathing is both calming and energizing. The energy you feel from a few minutes of careful breathe is not nervous or hyper, but that calm, steady energy we all need. Slow, steady, and quiet breathing gives a message to your nervous system: Be calm.

Here is one 5-minute Breath Break Read through the instructions several times before you try the practice.

Sit with your spine as straight as possible. Use a chair if necessary but don't slump into it. Feet flat on the floor with knees directly over the center of your feet. Hands are on the tops of your thighs. Close your eyes gently and let them rest behind closed lids. Think about your ribs, at the front, back, and at the sides of your body. Your lungs are behind those ribs. As you inhale, feel your lungs filling up, your ribs expanding out and up. As you exhale, feel your lungs emptying, your ribs coming back down and in. Don't push the breath. The first few times you do this, do it for 5 to 10 breathes, then do it for up to 10 to 20 breathes. At first, set aside a time at least once a day to do this. When you learn how good it makes you feel, you'll want to do it at other times as well.

Relaxing for a few minutes every day gradually carries over into the rest of your daily life and activities.

I hope you enjoyed today's post. Stop by soon for updates and please feel free to leave comments.

Wishing you health & wellness, Patty