Inward Balance
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Miracal Maker
Did you know the brain and breath are so tightly linked that breathing patterns reflect our state of awareness. When we regulate the breath profoundly we actually modify our state of mind. The brain and nerves control respiration effecting our breathing, from the expansion and contracting of the lungs to carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream ultimately altering feed back to the brain altering EEG patterns and the conscious experience.
The practice of relaxation techniques, yoga postures, pranayama and meditation have significant effects on the body. What a better reason to practice yoga and breathing exercises in yoga called pranayama.
Nadi Sodhana or alternate nostral breathing: To begin take a deep inhale through the nose close off the right nostril and breath out through the left. Next take a deep in hale through that same left nostril and then close it off releasing the right passage and exhaling though the right nostril. Breath in through the right side and close it release the left nostril and breath out though it. Breath in through the left and continue this way for ten breaths. Alternate nostril breathing helps to balance the right and left brain dissolving stress and depression and cultivating a sense of oneness with the world and wellbeing. Try it for two weeks everyday in the morning and at night and email me with your results sally@inwardbalance.com.
¶ 3:22 PM 0 Comments
Did you know the brain and breath are so tightly linked that breathing patterns reflect our state of awareness. When we regulate the breath profoundly we actually modify our state of mind. The brain and nerves control respiration effecting our breathing, from the expansion and contracting of the lungs to carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the bloodstream ultimately altering feed back to the brain altering EEG patterns and the conscious experience.
The practice of relaxation techniques, yoga postures, pranayama and meditation have significant effects on the body. What a better reason to practice yoga and breathing exercises in yoga called pranayama.
Nadi Sodhana or alternate nostral breathing: To begin take a deep inhale through the nose close off the right nostril and breath out through the left. Next take a deep in hale through that same left nostril and then close it off releasing the right passage and exhaling though the right nostril. Breath in through the right side and close it release the left nostril and breath out though it. Breath in through the left and continue this way for ten breaths. Alternate nostril breathing helps to balance the right and left brain dissolving stress and depression and cultivating a sense of oneness with the world and wellbeing. Try it for two weeks everyday in the morning and at night and email me with your results sally@inwardbalance.com.
¶ 3:22 PM 0 Comments
Monday, June 11, 2007
A new way of being
Sitting at my desk, a large low coffee table with my computer and printer set up on it, I am feeling so grateful to be sitting on the floor. I let go of my tall desk after a yoga retreat a few years ago when I realized how much time I spent sitting in a chair at my desk when on the computer. I want to feel good in my body and these days it is so clear to me that sitting on the floor to work on the computer or reclining on the floor, bed or sofa (thank God for lap tops) supports my feeling good far more than sitting in a traditional chairs for long periods of time.
I grew up traveling to ashrams around the world with my parents. We practiced yoga, meditation and chanting for hours and some times all night, this was my parents idea of a good time (is mine now too). From a young age I participated in lots of "floor sitting". It was quite embarrassing as a child to explain to my friends why in my house we had large pictures of strange Indian people around and why we sat on the floor singing songs in a language I did not understand. Today I can see the enormous value participating in this alternative life style has given to my life. The physical awareness this up brining has cultivated in me has allowed me to know when I need to make changes in my lifestyle to help myself feel good, even when the positive changes are strenuous or painful (it can be challenging to sit on the floor in the beginning).
Sitting in most chairs weakens the back and shortens the hamstrings having an effect on our over all sense of well being in the body. Chairs are unavoidable in our society, driving, eating out are a part of American life. You can practice sitting on the floor and letting go of the traditional chair any chance you can. It might even change your life.
Check out the nerve chart above to see the origin of the nerve that is pinched when your foot falls asleep.
¶ 6:32 PM 0 Comments
Sitting in most chairs weakens the back and shortens the hamstrings having an effect on our over all sense of well being in the body. Chairs are unavoidable in our society, driving, eating out are a part of American life. You can practice sitting on the floor and letting go of the traditional chair any chance you can. It might even change your life.
Check out the nerve chart above to see the origin of the nerve that is pinched when your foot falls asleep.
