Inspiration Monday: The 5-Minute Vacay

A Blogumn by Kalimba Bennett

Using the tools of yoga, meditation, and creativity as the stepping stones for generating a little more peace, gratitude, and dare I say “inspiration” in your week.

Today I want to offer you the immaculate gift of your very own breath.  You know, it’s that inhaling and exhaling thing that’s happening right now without you thinking about it and…it’s what is keeping you alive!  In my experience, there is a deep connection between how I feel and the fluidity of my breath.

If your life is anything like mine it moves at a pace that is quick and ever quickening.  Busy life = even busier brain. When I’m stuck in traffic trying to handle a business call and put on my mascara at the same time my breath is short and constricted.  When I’m in a hot bath after a long day my breath smooths out and flows deeply.

Because it is one of the few autonomic functions of the body that we can also control, breathing is the fastest working, all natural antidote to stress that I know of.

In yoga, the practice of conscious breathing or breath control is called Pranayama* and the benefits are infinite.  By breathing deeper we supply the brain and body with more oxygen and that is nothin’ but goodness my friend.  Breathe deeper and experience lower blood pressure, greater mental focus, the release of toxins and more expansive orgasms for starters.  Give this basic pranayama exercise a try, right now, in your home or office:

Start by placing one hand on your chest and the other on your lower belly. Close your eyes and slowly take a breath through your nose, focusing on filling your abdomen so that it rises higher than your chest.

Exhale slowly through your nose. Take another slow, deep breath in through your nose. Imagine you are sucking in all the air in the room. At the peak of your breath hold it for a count of 5.

Slowly exhale through your nose for a count of 6. As all the air is released, gently contract your stomach muscles completely expelling all the air from your lungs. The deeper your exhale, the deeper your inhale.

Repeat this cycle 4 more times for a total of 5 cycles.

After your final exhale open your eyes. How does your body feel? And your mind? How about your spirit?

Try giving yourself this five minute vacation every day this week to connect with your breath. Sip it in, drink it down. It’s your breath, it’s your life!

Let me know how it goes in the comments section, and I look forward to speaking with you next time.

Bless your bones,

Kalimba

*To learn more about Pranayama and expanding your sweet lungs, check out
these sites…

http://yoga.about.com/od/breathing/a/nadisodhana.htm

http://yoga.about.com/od/breathing/a/shitali.htm

http://yoga.about.com/od/breathing/a/ujjayi.htm

Photo Credit: Brenden Elms