The Extended Exhale.
Kirsty Lyon is back! She explains that when we react to a stressor our breath changes. It often becomes shorter and faster. It’s what prepares us to respond to whatever we’re dealing with at the moment – whether real or perceived. I imagine that, way back when, this is what saved the cavemen from being eaten by some crafty predator and then they calmed down once they were safe. But in this day and age, there isn’t always an end to the stressor. And when our bodies are constantly “at the ready” even though there’s no threat, it leads to chronic stress and we all know that’s not good. But Kirsty says that we have some control: breath. By purposely changing the rhythm of our breath, we can regulate the nervous system, show our bodies that they’re safe, and finally return to center.
Here’s her technique: inhale for 3 counts, then exhale for 6 counts. That’s it. She says to inhale through the nose, then let the breath out through the mouth, allowing the body to relax a little more each time. Then she suggests inhaling for 4 counts and exhaling for 8 counts. I found this one a bit more difficult to manage. I felt like, in order to get to count 8, I had to force the air from my lungs. That seemed to go against the whole idea of relaxing, so I went back to the original 3/6 count method.
After the lesson, I meditated for another 15 minutes, practicing the 3/6 count on and off. I noticed that whenever my mind began to wander, my breath changed, so I did another few rounds or so of the 3/6 count until I was able to go back to normal breathing. I felt pretty relaxed by the end and answered the question at the end of the lesson: when would I use this technique? I chose “before sleep”. I think this might be a good way for me to prepare myself for bed, to get nice and relaxed and sleepy so I could drift off . . .
Did you like this technique? How did you feel afterward? Could you see yourself using it? When? I’d love to know your thoughts. Hope you have a great Friday and a restful weekend!
#nervoussystemresetchallenge
#breathe
The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is, in no way, a substitute for professional medical advice. The events, practices, and opinions discussed here are those of the author and should be treated as such. ALWAYS talk with your doctor about conditions, medications, and concerns you have about your health and work together to determine the best course of action for you.
Wholeness Health and YOU! 