Have you ever had a time when:

• A perfectly good day was ruined by the slightest inconvenience that left you feeling agitated and annoyed?
• You were feeling caught in the DOING syndrome that is so glorified by society?
• You had to go to get follow up tests after an abnormal pap or breast exam and your lizard brain went berserk with worry?
• You've been stranded in scarcity thinking by unexpected money hits all in the same week?

Becoming BFF's with your breath can help.

As they say "Life Happens." Life happened to me this morning in the form of losing my wallet just before I was supposed to be in town for a doctor appointment to have a breast ultrasound. The more I couldn't find my wallet, the more I became anxious about the ultrasound? And out came pissy-agitated-Allison - a not so favorite version of out-of-alignment-me.  Sound familiar?

LOVING SOULTION: MINDFUL BREATHING

I've found that the first best place to go in any of these situations, or in many others, is my breath. Mindful breathing is a easy way to connect your body, your mind, and your spirit - a way to recenter and to step back in to alignment with the best version of you. Mindful breathing, deep in my heart, has been THE MOST HEALING gift I’ve given myself in the past few years and as we approach the season of giving, I’d love to remind or introduce you to the concept of becoming Best Friends Forever with your breath.

BREATHE darling — Your breath is your BFF!

Breath work as defined by Wikipedia:

Breath work refers to many forms of conscious alteration of breathing, such as connecting the inhale and exhale, or energetically charging and discharging, when used within psychotherapy or meditation. Proponents believe breathwork technique may be used to attain alternate states of consciousness, and that sustained practice of techniques may result in spiritual or psychological benefits. Breathwork may also relate to optimal healthy breathing in a healing context.

I was first introduced to conscious breathing in a Bikram yoga class in 2001.  The first pose in the Bikram Standing Deep Breathing or the Pranayama Series and from the very first moment of that very first class, I knew I was hooked on simply breathing.

12 of the Benefits Of Breathing

My personal belief is that breathing is the fastest and most pure way to connect my physical-ness to my Spirit.  I believe breath is both purely physical and spiritual at the same time.

Conscious breathing can be engaged in many forms and has many benefits:

1. Detoxifies our systems - only 10% of toxins are expelled from the body through defecation and 20% through our skin, while 70% of all toxins are breathed out of the body!
2. Brings oxygen to your cells and helps you release carbon dioxide
3. Lowers blood pressure
4. Slows your heart rate
5. Relaxes your muscles
6. Calms and clears your mind
7. Helps reduce insomnia
8. Increases energy
9. Reduces fatigue
10. Reduces anxiety and stress
11. Heals cells in your body
12. Heals trauma in the body
13. Releases emotional and energetic blockages
14. Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkillers in to the system – relieving backaches, headaches and other aches and pains.
15. Strengthens abdominal and intestinal muscles
16. Invites openness to transformation
17. Connects you to your emotional center allowing you to feel safely and gently
18. Brings your spirit and body in to alignment
19. Connects you with your physical self
20. Brings awareness to the present moment

Now you know why, here's how.

Feeling the pull to begin practicing mindful breathing? Here are 12 ways I’ve been working with my breath - and I’m sharing in hopes of giving you some ideas of how you can engage your Breath as your BFF!

1. When you first wake up and just before you go to bed spend a few minutes mindfully breathing, paying attention to your inhale and exhale - choosing to be fully present with your breath.  Try a cycle of just 5 of these breaths.
2. Being adjusted at the chiropractor and really want your structure to physically release? Breathe in to your whole body and allow your doc to do their work.
3. Take mindful breaths between bites of food during meals -  enjoy the taste and allow your body to connect with your food.
4. Focus on your breath during meditation so that your mind doesn't wander.

    

5. When you're psychically stressed or overwhelmed, go outside and put your feet in a plot of grass or dirt (grounding) and do a few sun salutation stretches along with deep breathing.
6. Breathe consciously when journaling, crafting, painting, doodling or working with your hands.
7. Stuck in traffic or in the grocery store (or any place where you may be susceptible to being irritated or overstimulated)? Use your breath to stay calm and centered (aka - to keep from blowing a gasket).
8. Use your breath to connect with people you are in important conversations with.  By mirroring and matching another's breath you can build trust and connection. This is also a great way to be fully present with the person you are with.
9. Connect with your breath when you want to "HEAR" your Inner Whisper/Wisdom clearly
10. When you make love with your partner, consider paying attention to breath to connect not only your bodies, but also you spirits and emotions (mirroring and matching works here, too).
11. Conjure confidence and re-center with a series of 3-5 mindful breaths.
12. Use breath and deep sighs as physical release throughout the day (Dogs do this brilliantly).

I hope you will make your breath your new BFF! A breathing practice can change your life.  I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you regularly practice breathwork? Do you feel connected to your breath? How has breathing supported your journey? Is it a long lost relative or is it your BFF!