Remember to Breathe

Why am I reminding you to breathe when breathing is something you do all by yourself, all day and night, without even thinking about it? Ah, there’s the answer. “Without even thinking about it.” Breathing is essential to life. While life can be sustained for days without food or water, without air it lasts only minutes. If you have the opportunity, watch a newborn as he breathes. His little belly goes in and out. Not his chest. Somehow we instinctively know how to breathe when we’re born yet through the years we tend to breath more and more shallowly. So what if you did begin to think about your breathing; what difference would that make?

Just becoming aware of your breathing will help you to become more focused and relaxed. Slow your breathing down and your heart rate and blood pressure will respond in kind.

Qi Gong, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is sometimes defined as “breath work.” The first thing I teach anyone who comes to me is abdominal breathing, which is most beneficial. Each inhale and exhale should be smooth and even. As you inhale, the diaphragm should drop down and the belly should expand. This allows the lower lobes of your lungs to fill. As you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes back up and the belly moves back toward your spine naturally, forcing the lungs to expel more air. There is plenty of medical information regarding your heart and lungs, oxygen and cells and the benefits to them of breathing deeply. But all you really need to know is that you’ll feel better.

Here are some breathing tips to help you decrease your stress, increase your energy, and make you more aware of the world around you:
Sit upright near the edge of a chair. Feet flat on the floor. With your arms hanging straight down curl your fingers around the bottom of the seat. Take a deep breath. You’ll feel your belly expand.
Other times to focus on your breath:
*Before your feet even hit the floor in the morning take 3 conscious breaths, starting your day in balance instead of chaos.
*Make each exhale last at least as long as your inhale. While you’re walking take five inhale steps and six steps on the exhale.
*Once every 30 minutes turn away from your computer and take a few breaths. Close your eyes, relax your chin and drop your shoulders.
*Take a few conscious breaths before beginning any meal. You’ll have a greater appreciation of your food. If you take an occasional breath between bites your digestion will improve.
*While you’re on your way up the mountain on the lift, a couple of abdominal breaths can help you center yourself, be more aware of your beautiful surroundings and your trip down the hill will be more focused and rewarding.
*Something’s just gone awry and you’re feeling anxious? You’ve got it, take a couple of deep, abdominal, conscious breaths.
*When you’ve completed one task, take a few breaths before starting the next.

We live in a land of wonderful, clean air, full of nourishing Qi. Help yourself. It’s free. Get the most from every breath. Let me know if it makes a difference. Email me at breathingqi.@gmail.com

Chriss Cowan is a Certified Qi Gong Therapist and Instructor and founder of the Qi Gong Institute of Summit County located at 202 Main St. Frisco (above Rags to Riches). 970-668-3316 Her clients attain and maintain wellness by Qi Gong movements, meditations and nutrition based on the Five Elements System of TCM. Chriss is also available for individual therapy sessions, identifying and removing energy blockages and customizing a Qi Gong practice.