Science has proven what ancient yogis have known for centuries: the breath is intimately connected to our mental state.  Should you find yourself stressed out or anxious, relief is just a breath away.  The following story illustrates the power of the breath in action.

A dozen years ago I joined Toastmasters (www.Toastmasters.org) to overcome my fear of public speaking. Once that fear was tamed, I would push myself out of my comfort zone by entering speaking contests.  In this case, it was the evaluation contest.

I won at the club, area, and division level, which took me to the big show, the district contest.  The event was held in a hotel ballroom with 300 people present.  Nothing to be nervous about there, right?! 

We drew for speaking order and, as bad luck would have it, I drew the first position.  The first evaluator has just five minutes to gather their thoughts before giving their evaluation before the judges and audience.  So if I wasn't nervous enough, this just about sent me over the edge! 

However, I had a secret weapon: I knew the power of the breath to calm nerves and relieve anxiety.  After finding a quiet room, I spent 10 minutes practicing alternate nostril breathing (see below).  When finished, I was calm, relaxed, and had experienced a major shift in attitude.  I decided that since I was the first evaluator, I would set the bar so high, no one else would be able to jump over it.  I went on to win the contest (yeay!).  Had it not been for this breathing exercise however, I'm certain my anxiety would have gotten the best of me. 

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

1.  Sitting with your spine erect, keep your chin centered over your collar bone.

2.  Using the thumb your right hand, close off your right nostril just under the cartilage.  Breathe deeply into your left nostril.

3.  Using your ring finger, close off your left nostril, release your thumb, and exhale out the right nostril.

4.  Breath in through the right nostril without switching fingers.

5. Close the right nostril with your thumb again and exhale out the left nostril.  This completes one cycle of alternate nostril breathing.

To reiterate, one cycle includes: Inhale left, exhale right.  Inhale right, exhale left.  Always start and end on the left.  Begin by practicing three cycles and work your way up to 10 cycles.

Don't wait until you're under the gun to begin practicing this technique.  Daily practice helps smooth the rough edges off your day, and will be there ready and waiting for you when you need it most.  Begin balancing your brain today by practicing alternate nostril breathing.

Namaste,

Debbie