Breathing Technique to Ease Anxiety and Worry
As we transition into Fall, we want to stay grounded, warm and hydrated.
The Fall season is called Vata season in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda deals with the 5 elements: earth, water, fire, air and space (ether). The elements all have their own qualities.
Vata dosha (a body constitution) is primarily air and space so that means as we move into Vata season, the predominate qualities are air and space.
Lots of wind blowing on our face can dry out the skin. Lots of air in the mind means too many thoughts - think cold, windy, dry Fall days.
So we want to bring in opposite qualities - opposite qualities balance - think grounding and warmth. These 2 qualities can help balance Vata dosha. This is why this time of year I talk a lot about bringing awareness to the feet on the earth in the classes I teach to sense the grounding support underneath us. And also to bring our awareness literally out of the mind at the top of the body, down to the feet.
To ease anxiety and worry that can come from a windy mind, I'm sharing a breathing technique I've been using myself as well as practicing in my classes.
It's called 4-Count Breath or Square Breathing.
You can change the count of the breath, but I like 4 to start off with and then you can increase it if you wish.
All you do is sit comfortably. Watch your body breathe for a few rounds. Then start the practice by inhaling and silently counting to 4, then pause the breath for a count of 4, exhale to a count of 4, then pause the breath at the end of the exhale to a count of 4.
If pausing the breath is too much for you at times, then skip the pausing and inhale and then exhale to a count of 4.
Repeat for 3-10 minutes.
Then allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm. Watch your body breathe again for a few rounds.
Most importantly, notice how you feel after and that's it.
Repeat daily.
Consistency is key!
Have a wonderful breathing practice.
inhale - enjoy - exhale,
- gina 🍁
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