A Miracle Cure

Every week, I teach yoga to a group teenagers. I adore them and class is never boring. After over five years, I’ve learned to expect the energy of this group to be one of two things: hyper and unfocused OR lethargic and low-energy. 

You’d think different energies would require different teaching strategies, but actually I ‘treat” these energies the same. I simply bring their attention to their breath.

Sounds unremarkable, right? Yet, I’m finding breathing awareness to be the remedy for life! Watch yourself take one long inhale and follow it up with one long exhale, and see how it calms and centers you if that’s what’s needed OR notice how it livens you up if that’s what’s needed. Dare I say it’s a bit of a miracle cure? 

On another note, my family and I have been watching lots of US Open Tennis on TV lately, and aside from the forehands, backhands and serves, we’ve seen A LOT of breathing awareness. These tennis players perpetually bring their attention to their breath to regulate their nerves, to calm their minds and to keep their energies up. 

This week, I encourage you to sprinkle in some extra breathing awareness to your workouts – and to your life. Even just one round of breath can help. Preferably breathe in through the nose and out through the nose and aim for an even inhale/exhale ratio. When the going gets tough, the tough put more attention on their breath.