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Nurturing
Your Personal Power and Awareness Through
Conscious Breathing
by Jennifer Baltz |
When was the
last time you sat down and just noticed your breathing?
If you’re a regular meditator or yoga practitioner, you
might do this daily. But if you travel through life at
warp speed, with more on your plate than time allows,
pausing to tune in to your breath might seem like a
luxury you just can’t afford.
But the act
of simply noticing your breathing is a powerful state of
being. And like meditation, it can actually save you
time and shift your energy to a place of personal power
and grace.
Developing the skill of
present mind
Here’s why.
First, consciously noticing your breathing helps you
develop the skill of being more present and aware in the
moment. We humans often spend so much time looking at
the closed door behind us that we don’t see the
many doorways open ahead. By being more present in the
moment, you can see those opportunities in front of you
more clearly. And practicing conscious breathing as a
habit throughout the day gives you a tool to fall back
on when you need it most.
In my new
online meditation class, I share a quote from John Kabat
Zinn: “You find that
there is an inner stillness and peace within some of the
most difficult life situations. It’s right in this
breath, and it’s right in this experience. You don't
have to run away to get it someplace else.”
Conscious pauses nurture your personal power and
awareness
Stopping
to notice your breathing creates conscious pauses in
your day that allow you to be more connected on all
levels: body, mind, and spirit. It can help you access
your own inner compass when you make decisions…and to
learn the difference between ego, fear, and divine
guidance. It means the angels don’t have to shout quite
so loud to get you to hear them! And it helps you take
the time to let ego drop and truly understand yourself
and others. When we speak or act without consciously
pausing first, we often come from ego and emotion, not
true understanding and awareness.
Going through
life on autopilot diminishes your personal power,
whereas conscious attention nurtures and expands it. We
make better choices that match who we really are —
rather than being pushed along by the whims of others,
who may not have our best interests at heart. Pausing to
breathe consciously helps us have greater clarity,
energy, and present mind. There are fewer do-overs, and
things get done faster and better. Plus, being conscious
in the moment is a state where we can articulate more
clearly what we truly need — and ask for help to get it
done, both from divine guidance and other humans.
When and how to practice
conscious breathing
So when is
the best time to practice conscious breathing? Anytime.
(You knew I’d say that, right?) You’re building that
habit over time so it’s something you will go to when
you need it most. Those times include when you’re
overtired, feel confused, or overwhelmed. When you are
on a deadline and feel like you just can’t get it all
done…that’s another great time to tune in to your
breathing. Or when you need to find your center in a
difficult emotional situation.
Try it now.
Simply stop and sit quietly for a few minutes. Just
breathe normally and notice your breathing. Notice how
your breath goes in and out. Notice the speed and depth
of your breathing and what you are feeling. Just notice.
Becoming more conscious of
what we feel
Our breathing
and emotions are deeply connected. When you are anxious,
you will not breathe in the same way as when you are
calm. So, your breathing is a guide to become more aware
of your emotions … it helps you feel them
kinesthetically, so you can better understand what you
are experiencing and how it is affecting you.
Sometimes we
become unconscious to what we are actually feeling---we
block it out and try to deny what is really there. When
you breathe consciously, you are allowing your emotions
to come center stage. And by listening to your body with
awareness and the willingness to understand, you can
make better choices.
Conscious
breathing helps you become more of who you are.
It helps you be more connected and present so that all
parts of you work together more gracefully as a balanced
whole. And it helps you to be more aware of what is
going on around you. Slowing down and getting off that
merry-go-round for a few minutes can often be enough to
shift your reality in a profound way.
Try a conscious breathing
experiment!
So try an
experiment with me today. Take three minutes at the top
of every hour, from now until you go to bed, to tune
into your breathing as you just did. Just breathe and
notice how you are breathing. How does breathing feel to
you? How does your body feel? What emotions come up when
you notice your breathing? Notice that when you simply
pay attention, your breathing and your energy naturally
shift into a slower, more present state. Try giving
yourself that luxury and notice how you feel.
Copyright © 2010 Jennifer Baltz. All Rights
Reserved.
Jennifer Baltz is Conscious Life
Design coach and mentor with over 18 years experience helping people consciously create their dreams. She offers individual coaching, classes, seminars, and mastermind groups to help you create change in your life, from
personal and creative growth to small business development. Visit Jennifer's website for more information, www.creativespirit.com,
or follow Jennifer on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jenbaltz.
Her new online class Meditation 101: Relax and
Rejuvenate will be available this month.
Visit
Jennifer at:
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