Wellness Wednesdays

This week I am going to share some breathing techniques that can help with relaxation and help you to feel calm. In yoga, control of the breath is called pranayama - this is the practice of cultivating and focusing on the vital 'energy of life' within you. Breathing techniques can be used to find calmness and focus in meditation and you can also use them to bring about a state of relaxation and control when you are experien cing stress and anxiety. When we are stressed or anxious, our sympathetic nervous system is activated. Our body is in fight or flight mode and our breathing is sharp and shallow. By practicing breathing exercises, slowing down and controlling our breath, we can stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system which helps us to feel relaxed and calm. Breathing exercises are also a form of mindfulness practice, as our awareness is focussed on our breath, directing attention away from unruly thoughts and towards the present moment. Here are two of my favourite sim...