Abdominal Breathing

This is a great practice to relax before any important event and also during any time that one feels anxious. The practice instantly restores the breath and improves blood circulation. In this audio we have a five minute practice but you can do it for shorter time as well. It is also a great way to observe the breath, and slow down the exhale thereby directly shifting the state of mind.

Transcript

Namaste. We're starting today with the abdominal breathing. This is a great way to release tensions, To increase the oxygen intake, And to purify the blood. It's a good idea if you can do the abdominal breathing every now and then when you remember. You can do it sitting up. You can do it lying on your bed. You can do it standing, Gazing out of the window. But don't do it straight after eating when your stomach is full. Let's start by lying down in Shavasana. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Settling into your posture. Notice how you feel before the practice of abdominal breathing. Place your hand on your stomach just above the navel. Let your hand be relaxed. Feel the movement of your stomach. As you breathe in and out. Without changing the natural rhythm of your breath. Just let the breathing continue on its own. No effort. Simply observing. You may notice that as you breathe in, Your stomach expands and rises, And as you breathe out, Your stomach descends and contracts. Now, Let's exaggerate that movement. As you breathe in, Push your stomach out like a big balloon. And as you breathe out, Just relax. Let the air escape on its own. Breathing in, Push your stomach out like a big balloon, Stretch it to the maximum without straining. Breathing out, Letting go and relaxing. Let the air escape by itself. Breathing in, Push your stomach out like a big balloon. Breathing out, Letting go and relaxing, Let the air escape by itself. Do this for a few more breaths. Now breathing in. Push your stomach out like a big balloon. To the maximum. And then breathing out, Relax and let go. And at the end of your exhale breath, Pull your stomach in and squeeze any remaining air out. Then breathing in, Gently expand your stomach like a balloon. Fill it to full capacity. Breathing out, Let go, Relax. At the end, Pull your stomach in. And squeeze the remaining air out. Continue doing this for a few more breaths, Filling your abdominal area as full as you can. And then relaxing, Releasing, And squeezing out to the maximum. Releasing any energy blocks. From the Manipur chakra at the navel, The Swadhisthana chakra in the pubic region and the Muladhara chakra at the base of the body. So that that energy is free to move to the upper chakras in the upper part of the body. Keep doing the abdominal breathing, But making sure that you're not straining. Very good. Stop the abdominal breathing now. Let your breathing normalize. And notice how you feel. Bring your awareness. To your surroundings. Have a big stretch if you like. And gently open your eyes. See you tomorrow Namaste