Using the Breath to Access the Present Moment

Breath is one of the most important resources a human has. For thousands of years, yogis and spiritual practitioners acknowledged that the breath holds prana or life force to keep us alive and healthy. If our breath is shallow, it creates more stagnant energy in the body and stress, making us feel more stuck and less embodied.

           Mindfulness exercises can be used to oxygenate different parts of the body. We can send this oxygen from the head to our feet with awareness and breath control. When we consciously send breath to a part of our body, it helps to breaks up stagnancy and opens up the muscles and blood flow to allow more oxygen to enter. With all this being said, being aware of our breath dramatically reduces stress and regulates and calms the nervous system.

• Mindfulness Exercise to connect to our breath and the present moment.

Feel your feet on the ground. Start breathing deeply into the belly. Inhaling deep for 1….2….3….. exhale 1…2…3…. Repeat this motion until you feel your body settling. Take notice if you're clenching your jaw, tensing your shoulders, or tensing any other part of your body, and at your own pace, allow this tension to melt away.