The first thing you lose contact with when experiencing stress is your breath. Connection with your breath is the key to accessing deeper states of presence in yourself. To begin rekindling a relationship with yourself and feeling more centered in your life, you must begin to build an intentional relationship with your breath. Allow it to serve as the guide home to your body and the present moment.
Becoming Aware of Your Breath
The first step to intentionally using your breath to become more grounded is becoming aware of it. Perhaps as you read this you begin to take note of your breath without trying to change it.
What are you observing about your breath at this moment? For instance, where do you feel it? What does it feel like in your body? What is the rhythm like? Are your breaths shallow and fast, are you holding them, or are they deep and slow? When do you notice yourself losing your breath the most? When do you notice yourself breathing most deeply? Become aware of your breath first, and then use it to guide you.
The Practice of Deep Breathing
After becoming aware of what your breath is like without judgment, perhaps you pause and begin to contact your breath, allowing yourself to breathe deeply into your belly and out through your mouth. Breath slowly and with control, pausing briefly between each inhale and exhale. When you breathe deep, controlled breaths, your heart rate can return to normal and the tension in your body can relax. Things can feel more manageable and many more benefits become noticeable.
Returning to the Breath
It is hard to be conscious of your breath in every moment, and the practice is not about being perfect. It is about cultivating awareness around when you lose your breath, noticing what this feels like in your body, and taking that as a message to slow down and come back to your breath and into your life. Your breath serves as your anchor and is something you can access anytime and anywhere.
Beginning to build a relationship with your breath and use it as your anchor is the key to coming home to yourself, finding peace in chaos, and beginning to trust your body. At Avalon Malibu, we recognize how important mindfulness and breathwork are to recovery and healing. We value a holistic approach to therapy and incorporate mindful breathing as part of many treatment plans. Our team of professionals is here to support you as you take strides in your healing. If you are ready to begin your journey, call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992.
