Breathe Deeply!

VIBRANT HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK~ EXHALE!

  It's become rather clear to me that a vast majority of our tendencies to ramp up into stress mode stems from the habit of not exhaling deeply. Shallow breathing in general is a sure sign your nervous system is set in stress mode and holding the breath is another sign that your central nervous system is locked in flight ,fight or freeze mode. This pattern over time creates havoc in our physical bodies, in our minds and emotions creating such strain that just navigating the normal decisions one has to make daily can feel overwhelming.

 The first step is to notice your breath. Breathe in for 4 counts deep into your belly then exhale for 8. When we double the exhale we short circuit further activating the stress response and turn on the relaxation response. If you are feeling super anxious and distracted, inhale for 4, hold for 7 and exhale for 8. This breath pattern is known for having the capacity to stop an anxiety attack in its tracks!

So breathe deep, and exhale even deeper on a regular basis to reclaim your center. As a yoga and meditation teacher I witness first hand in myself and my students how insidious stress levels can ramp up and yet the remedy is right beneath our nose. Stop for a moment right now and take a deep belly breath and exhale slowly. As you exhale, visualize you are releasing the excess energy that is creating pressure inside. Like a balloon that is inflated too full and ready to burst. We do not realize what we are holding until we actually start to put it down.

Holding the breath can be an unconscious act of holding onto emotions that need to be expressed. Holding onto anger , resentments or fears that need a voice. Holding on to pain that is asking for a path of release. Holding on to our past which is truly over. When we are stuck in a pattern of holding on, we are not available and present to life unfolding right in front of our eyes. Our awareness is hijacked into worry, pain , anger or fear which has a powerful effect of disconnecting us from our deeper wisdom and truth. It is true that stress kills. It can create such a corrosive imbalance in our bodies and in our minds resulting in illness as well as creating the effect of feeling cut off from out spirit. The aspect of our Being that is fundamental to us living with authenticity and presence.

We can survive for weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without breath. There is a yogic saying, when you breathe deep you live deep!

Make a loving commitment today to notice your breathing and deepen the inhale and extend the exhale as long as you can. Welcome peace to be reflected in breath!

Please LIKE and SHARE to anyone that would benefit!
Namaste and Blessings for a Breathing Deep Day!
Anne Christine Townend-Duffey

The Transformational Turning Point~Committing to a Home Yoga Practice

  Namaste All~ We all know the benefits we hear about practicing yoga, mindfulness, meditation and yet what is the # 1 reason people fail to commit to a daily practice to reap those benefits?

    As a yogini and teacher , I have asked myself that question often as its one of my central intentions to inspire students to practice daily to really tap into the transformative power of yoga. Here is what I know. Until the power of your intention to practice is stronger than your resistance to practice, nothing will change. Thats the bottom line. Resistance is a form of fear. It can be subtle and so slick that we can easily dismiss it with excuses like I don't have time, I am too tired when I come home from work, etc. If we take a courageous moment to just tap into the feeling of resistance and ask ourselves truly 'What am I afraid of here, we will begin to get clear on our real intentions.

Do we really want to be mindful? What does that really require of me? Do I really want to take a deeper responsibility for my health and wellness? What does that require of me? Do I really want to align with my deeper consciousness and wake up from the mass illusion of stress and feeling separate? What does that require of me? It requires you take a very strong intention to begin to honor your wholeness. The integrated aspect of your Being which is essentially illuminated love. Pretty lofty I know but nevertheless rolling out your yoga mat daily with a loving commitment to spend time with your deeper self is the most liberating healing practice I know of.

Ask yourself, are you just here in life to be a passenger and observer of what happens in your life or are you here to be a loving, co-creative,dynamic , intentional Being who chooses to LIVE ON PURPOSE? If getting a daily practice established was so easy, well I would not be posting this. It is not easy, It may be the most difficult shift you initially are called to make but the payoff is nothing less than transformational.

If you are feeling life is coming at your rather than through you , its time to commit to your home practice and shift that experience from victim of circumstances to creator of experiences. The only way through is within. Become a pilgrim within your own inner domain of experience. We contain all the energy on a cellular level of the universe! If that isn't appealing enough to turn the TV off and take a galaxy ride inside daily, well, my friend, the choice is yours:) I sincerely hope you love yourself enough to honor yourself daily with stillness, meditation and yoga to liberate you from what limits you being fully who you are meant to be in this world! Its time,roll that mat out and take your seat! Let the journey begin!

If you struggle with getting a practice going, join me in a yoga class and lets have a heart to heart chat on how you can make this amazing shift for yourself.
Namaste & Blessings for a Beautiful Day! Anne Townend-Duffey

LikeLike ·  · Share

TAP INTO YOUR TRUE INDEPENDENCE AND SPARK YOUR INNER LIGHT

    Namaste All. As we approach this US holiday celebration of the birth of our nation, let us pause to take some inner reflection on what truly expresses our authentic,independent spiritual nature. This new moon cycle we are currently in for another week is nudging us to clear old identifications from our consciousness. To release the concepts of who we' think' we are through forms of ego and personality and open to the vulnerable yet true and clear expression of our spiritual energetic beings.

The path to pruning the old identities is letting go of old patterns of thinking that no longer serve us. The judgements, self criticisms, the impatience, fear and anger that block the deeper expressions we may be keeping in the shadows. This inner work is necessary if we ever hope to attract and engage in authentic loving relationships with ourselves and  with others. As we heal and grow our inner independent self, we naturally align with others that are doing the same. The result is we come together as a sum greater than our individual parts. We all expand and benefit.

So take some time in the next week to examine what old pattern of thinking, habit of mind or emotion are you willing to release as a portal to opening to a deeper , more authentic, independent expression of your unique self? Notice in what situations you feel the most relaxed and open in. Notice the aspects of how you feel when in a relaxed open state. Notice who you feel the most relaxed and open around. Notice what situations, thoughts or patterns of emotional programming create separation or constriction from your natural, relaxed state of being. Get ready to prune back the constricting patterns.

It does take courage to step into this work but the consequence of not taking those steps is living by someone elses expectations, someone or something else from the external is defining who and what you are. This is not a recipe for happiness but one of suffering. Breathe deep, allow all feelings to be felt and guide you to taking steps to live more alive and aligned with your deepest aspect of who you really are. We are all hear to realize and live from our deepest Dharma.Only you can bring that forward.

Blessings for a week of truth, clarity and authenticity! Namaste
Anne Townend-Duffey

LikeLike ·  · Share