Your Breath - Personal Practice

I recently read that if you breath with intention for 109 breaths each day that you will reach enlightenment.  

I can't remember where I read this, or if it was from a creditable source, but I did try the technique once.

I tried it while doing something I thought would be relaxing, but I kept getting distracted.

Which is leading me to be more thoughtful about my breath.

I've been noticing how easily distracted I can get and how my breath changes.  

When my breath is shallow and stressed I ask myself why.  Then I focus on breathing through the issue at hand.

When my breath is steady and even, I take it for granted.

The bottom line is that I do not have consistency with my breath.

I find my mind races with all the things I want to do and should do and my breath matches my thoughts.

I know how important the breath is.  It is a key element to my yoga practice on the mat.  Without a steady breath I lack balance and focus during yoga practice.  

If I breath too fast I get anxious and agitated and I tend to be all over my mat.  

The longer and more steady the breath during yoga practice, the happier and more balanced I am.

Wow!  Shouldn't that translate to every minute of my life?  

How can I retain what I learn and be happy and balanced if I can not consciously breath at all times?

The self observation of my breath this week has made me realize I really need to breath, and I need to breath deep consciously!

So maybe it's best I sit in a quite place by myself and start with 50 breaths and work my way up to 109 breaths.

Wish me luck!  

Your Breath - Yoga Lesson

Most of us never think about the breath.

It's subconscious.  It operates without instruction.

What if you added an instruction manual to your life with regard to breath?

After all, when you are relaxed or stressed you can feel a difference in your breath.

The breath tells your body how to react.

Breath is the master.

Think about when you let out a heavy sigh, it can feel so good!

Or, think about when you stretch from head to toe in the morning and you fill your body with breath as you stretch.  That feels great too!

The amazing thing about letting our breath remain subconscious is that it allows many other thoughts and feelings to remain in our subconscious.  Then our body stores those thoughts in feelings in the body, and often in peculiar places.

We notice those tight hips or shoulders and then wonder why they are tight.

Why not start a practice of turning your breath into a conscious action?

See what freedoms in your life you may find.

Breath consciously.