STRESS MANAGEMENT
I started my career as a Chiropractor and soon discovered that stress is the underlying cause of most pain. I have spent many years searching for solutions and have studied, in depth, subjects such as bodywork, energy psychology, acupuncture and nutrition. I can say that all of the above have great benefit, but in my experience I have found working with the breath to be the most self-empowering for the individual. This therefore, has had the most long-term success. In my practice I will often combine therapies depending upon the individual’s needs. I would like to share with you how such a simple thing as breath work can have a dramatic effect. Stress is an ever growing problem affecting more and more of us. It has almost become a habitual way of living. Some stress can be positive and stimulating but it can also be devastating to our health. Below is an outline of how stress can affect us and how the breath work can be helpful. The way we breathe tends to be habitual. If we have a long period of distress, our breathing will become tense and shallow. This pattern will often remain when the distress has lifted. This will continue to send the signal that we are in trouble. (Shallow breathing sends the signal that you are in trouble, where as relaxed, longer, deeper breaths send the signal that you are in a good place.) The body will start to adapt to this new way of breathing and it will become increasingly more tense and the adrenal glands will remain on high alert. This will eventually affect the immune system and other bodily functions. A tense body affects the way our minds work and the way we react to our environment, possibly leading to panic attacks.
Breath work can help you reconnect to your breath and reteach you how to breathe correctly so that the above may be reversed, effectively relaxing and harmonizing both the body and mind. Starting to breathe naturally again takes some conscious effort to begin with.
I recommend that you start by closing your eyes and observe your breath. Then take a long out breath emptying your lungs completely, followed by a deep breath in (without pausing). Continue gently in this way for 20 breaths making the out breath slightly longer than the in breath. Then relax for a minute with your eyes closed or by looking into the flame of a candle, allowing yourself to experience the way you feel.
Breath and Movement
Movement has the unique ability to enhance our breath and help us reconnect with our bodies, removing us from our busy minds.
Our bodies are often full of reaction “tensions” from the lives we live. The stronger we react the greater the tension; eventually our bodies are tied up in a knot and we can’t remember how it got like that! It’s usually lots of different events from small things like the weather to big things like parents and friends etc.
Our minds tend to reflect the tension we hold in our bodies whether we are aware of it or not.
Breath and movement for relaxation is about letting go of the tension in the body so that we can think clearly.
Join a breath movement class or a yoga class or simply start by walking barefoot in nature and breathe!
Breath Work and Huna
Huna is Hawaiian Positive Shamanism
Rebirthing breath work connects our outer and inner world. Doubt, fear and guilt block us. Breath work can help us change negative pathways and transform them into positive insights. The ancient Hawaiian philosophy of Huna is full of helpful techniques to reinforce the insights gained from breath work. The ancient Hawaiians have used the breath, in healing work and for self empowerment, for a long time.
Huna reminds us that we have the power to change ourselves by changing our thoughts and, through that, the world around us.
A simple change of attitude such as learning to be grateful or forgiveness is very healing and a great antidote for doubt, fear and guilt.
Grateful exercise:
Be grateful for the small things that are revealed in nature, such as a flower.
Tune into the parts of yourself that feel good: “energy goes where attention goes”.
Reinforce your gratitude with an inner smile while breathing in through the top of your head and out through your heart.
Forgiveness exercise:
Forgive by repeating a mantra of forgiveness, over and over again “I forgive, I forgive” it can be unspecific or targeted at someone or something.
Reinforce forgiveness while smiling within to any tense body part “The world is your reflection”
For more on Huna look at http://www.alohainternational.org