breathing basics.

Taking a deep breath is like a reset for the body and mind.

Starting the day with mindful, focused breath is a great way to cleanse the body and release all the stagnant energy built up overnight.

Our breath is our energy, our life force. And learning how to breath deeply will get that energy flowing and restore balance. Breathing in a controlled and conscious manner, as we will do in our practice today, gives us a way to connect our body with our mind and is one of the most effective ways I have found to manage stress.

Here's what to do:

-using a pillow or blanket as a prop, find a comfortable seated position in your new space (see this post for how to create your own magic space - https://steemit.com/life/@yogasoulstyle/creating-your-magic-space)

-rest your hands on your knees, let your eyes close

-bring awareness to your natural breath, notice how it feels in your body, inhaling and exhaling through the nose only

-place one hand on your belly and one on your heart- take a few breaths here as you allow your breath to deepen

-letting your hands reset back on your knees, inhale deeply through the nose, filling up belly, ribs chest. find a slight pause at the top of the throat and then gently exhale the air out back through the nose, again finding a slight pause at the bottom of the exhale

-repeat this cycle 4 more times for a total of 5 deep breaths

-after your last exhale, let your breath return to normal, keeping the eyes closed, take note of how you feel, letting the residual energy from your breath move through you

-sit as long as you like, just noticing, just being aware

*Want to go deeper here? There are various forms of breath work that can be used to regulate our moods and energy levels. Reach out if you want to learn more.