UncategorizedBreath: the bridge between body & mind
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Breath: the bridge between body & mind

Your breath has the power to influence your nervous system, slow your busy mind, shift your brain wave states, and thereby impact how you feel.  

As a great metaphor, your breath is the bridge between your body and mind.  It helps to connect the two.  A reminder that both are not separate entities, and one impacts the other. 

‘When the breath wanders, the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still’

~ author unknown

Used for centuries, conscious breathing, breathwork, or pranayama helps promote a greater sense of mind-body connection.  Helping to reduce stress, refocus a busy mind, manage anxiety, energize, promote mindful awareness, and shift the subtle energetics that you are experiencing.   

 

The result? Depending on which style of breathing you practice you will feel calmer, more focused, grounded, or uplifted.  A powerful and empowered somatic tool to influence how you want to feel.  

There are many variations of intentional breathing techniques that promote mindfulness, support your nervous system, and relieve stress and anxiety.  Here are a few that are easy to do as part of your daily routine, or when you are in need of some grounding, focus, and energetic support.

3 Part Breath -Begin by taking a normal breath in and out.  On your next inhale breathe into your Chest – Ribs – Belly.  Naturally  Exhale slow and steady  Belly – Ribs – Chest. Repeat a few times.  Benefits: calms the mind, easy to do with no counting required, promotes mind-body awareness as you consider your breath filling your body.

 

Box Breath -Inhale to a count of 4, hold x 4; exhale x 4; hold x 4. Repeat until you feel more calm. Benefits: helps promote a sense of calm and focus.



4-7-8 Breathing  -Breath in, then exhale through your mouth. Inhale through your nose to a count of 4. Hold x 7.  Exhale through your mouth to the count of 8.  Repeat for at least 4 breaths.  Benefits: promotes deep relaxation.

 

Your breath is an invaluable tool to promote your wellbeing, and you certainly don’t have to be a yogi to reap the benefits.. The breathing techniques shared above can be used anywhere, as needed, as a coping tool to manage stress, anxiety, low energy, brain fog and overwhelm. Whichever technique you choose, empowers you to influence how you want to feel by targeting your body, becoming your bridge to mind-body connection, and an empowered somatic practice for your health and wellness.

Amy is a RN, Psychotherapist in Ontario, Canada, and Founder of AF Wellness, she is passionate about inspiring mind, body + holistic healing.