The Most Powerful Tool For Healing Lies Within

Before there is movement, there is breath. Breath is primordial. It’s the beginning. It can stand alone or it can partner up with exercise. You are always breathing, but how are you breathing? That’s the million dollar question. Show me how you’re breathing, and I’ll tell you who you are.There are fancy, in-depth breathing seminars led by prestigious breathing instructors today. There are books on breathing and breathing gizmos available for purchase. People are getting hip to the fact that breathing quality is important and that all breathing is not created equal. 

Short? Choppy? Tight? Panic-y? Rushed? Shallow? 
Your adrenals are on overdrive. Your mind is racing. You’re ungrounded. Metaphorically, a bear is chasing you…even if it isn’t.

Flowy? Easy? Open? Full? Patient? 
You’re present. You’re calm. You’re alert. You are safe from harm and all is well…even if it isn’t. 

You and I can up level our breathing, for free and right now, by simply connecting to the present moment. It’s not complicated or expensive, and it’s not a lengthy process. We have the ability to regulate, mind and body, this second. We have the power. (And it’s not too good to be true!)

Whenever you are experiencing heightened anxiety or excessive stress. Whenever you feel frazzled or ill at ease. Whenever you need to focus or embody, eradicate mental fatigue, or calm yourself down, stop whatever you are doing. Feel the ground beneath you. Feel the atmosphere touching your skin. You can close your eyes and your mouth (this is optional though) and simply listen for the pump of your heart beating. Before one minute passes, your breathing will up level. Guaranteed. All that was needed was for you to be here now. 

My favorite quotes on breathing:

“Breathing affects your respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, muscular, and psychic systems, and also has a general effect on your sleep, memory, ability to concentrate, and your energy levels.” ~Donna Farhi

“Your breathing determines whether you are at your best or whether you are at a disadvantage.” ~Carla H. Speads

“Shallow breathers poison themselves.” ~Paul Bragg

“Emotions and breath are known to have a deep relationship. Animals such as the rat and rabbit have fast breathing and so are extremely nervous, mentally unstable, emotionally restless, and live only for a short period of time. In contrast, the elephant and turtle are slow, deep breathers and consequently have calmer personality and longer lives.” – Dr. Ananda Bhavanni

“When you feel like life is out of focus, always return to the basics of life. Breathing. No breath, no life.” – Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid 

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart: I am, I am, I am.” – Sylvia Plath

“The most powerful tool for healing lies within you — your breath.” ~Deborah Davis

“Air is the substance on which principally we feed. What we eat is of secondary importance.” – Edward Lankow