B IS FOR BREATHE

Have you ever found yourself holding your breath while exercising, climbing stairs or a hill? How about just in anticipation of something, like during a scary movie?

As a personal trainer and swim instructor this is something I have to pay close attention to. I am sure I drive my clients crazy by always asking them "are you breathing"? As they let the air out of their lungs and  exclaim "yes"!

Now, how about catching yourself holding your breath during your day to day  activities? Or taking quick, shallow breaths? This is what I call "stress breathing" and I catch myself doing this all the time. Depriving my brain and body of much needed oxygen. So, the next question would be" why do we do this"? For me, it has been years of continual stress.

Part of this journey I am on requires me to try to find the answers and re-evaluate my life from time to time making adjustments along the way so I may live a happy and healthy life. 

I decided the perfect place to begin was with yoga. Yoga breathing calms the nervous system. It helps to relax and stabilize the mind. Increasing our attention, focus and concentration. While helping to decrease stress when dealing with challenging situations.

So, if you are now curious about how well you breathe or don't breathe, give  yoga a try. This has been a crucial part of this rest and healing for me. I am able to focus so much more on deep, calm and relaxing breaths instead of holding my breath until my body reminds me there is nothing to be anxious about. Throughout the day,if, I now catch myself holding my breath,I will take a moment to acknowledge why and then slowly and calmly......