Breathe early, breathe often

Ok so this is a play on words on the saying to save early, save often while working on a computer project. Many times people breathe very shallow, only breathing into the top 20% of their lung capacity. We all breathe automatically without thinking. It is a necessary function to keep us alive.

When you instruct someone to take a deep breath the first thing they do is raise their shoulders. Well this actually inhibits the flow of air deep into the lungs. When you raise your shoulders you pull in your abdomen which presses against your diaphragm. The ideal way to inhale the breath is to allow the diaphragm to expand out (think of pushing your belly outward) to allow air to go deeper into the lungs. On the exhale, the diaphragm contracts and forces the air out of the lungs.

We are told to breathe when we are upset, we are instructed to breathe while working out...I know because I used to tell my clients to breathe all the time. You would think it would be a no brainer to breathe, however we all could stand to focus on our breathing.

Starting a regular practice of meditating while focusing on your breath allows you to connect to that inner guidance, clearing your mind, helping you to focus and complete your daily tasks with ease. At the very least, take some time to sit still and focus your breath in and out. Maybe add a few stretches after 5 minutes of breathing. I bet you will feel calmer and maybe even a little more energized because you gave your body more of what it needs for basic survival.

Are you a shallow breather?