On The Breath

“Breathing is sooo important! When I’m driving my kids to school, we practice our breathing – deep belly breathing to calm, alternating nostril breathing to balance, or diaphragmatic breaths for mental clarity.”
- Lee Anne Jester, pilates trainer

“Learning to control the breath is simple and effective. Deep, easy breathing can quickly calm the body's response to stressful situations. Full, complete breath increases oxygen supply to the brain and helps create clear thinking. We all breathe every minute of the day. Why not harness that work to do more
for us?”
- Linda Putthoff, pilates trainer

“Chronic stress is the basis of many physical and emotional difficulties in adulthood. Unhealthy levels of stress create blockages in blood flow and energy, limiting the amazing healing potential of the human body. You can learn to relax while spreading healing energy through your body by simply practicing slow, conscious breathing on a daily basis. Try it now: Slowly and steadily, inhale through your nose so that the breath expands deep into your low belly, like a balloon gently inflating; then, slowly exhale through your nose, making it last as long as the inhale or longer. Repeat several times or for a few minutes. Try sprinkling short “breathing breaks” of several slow breaths throughout your busy day, e.g, upon waking, before eating, before driving, during work breaks, waiting in line, in bed at night, etc. To make it a habit, create a visual reminder, such as writing the word “breathe” on your hand.”
- Becky Holsen, yoga teacher

“Laugh everyday (especially at yourself). Take 15 minutes in the morning and evening to just BE. BREATHE consciously. Be present in everything you do, even if its the laundry or the dishes.”
- Lee Anne Jester, pilates trainer

Image courtesy of LunaDiRimmel.