By Sahaja Douglass

There are few things that feel better than a deep, full, breath!

Inhaling slowly through my nose, my chest, rib cage, and abdomen expand gently, followed by a brief pause, a cherished moment of stillness. My mind ceases telling me what to do. My laundry list of chores is hung out to dry. My nourished cells vibrate steady gratitude. And…….  Then…….  I exhale, breath slowly traveling the path from whence it came, relaxation spreading from shoulders to toes, like a waterfall of Grace cascading down the well worn facade of a mountain.  I feel spacious. My zealous and vigilant mind quiets. My heart pulsates blood and prana throughout my body and I open to the infinite wisdom of the Universe. Life is beauty and joy. All that magic happens when I practice relaxed breathing. At other times, I notice that that I am breathing backwards, inside out or worst of all....I stop breathing.  In spurts, as I am deliberating, or debating. During those moments of reversed, shut-down breath, my heart constricts and I un-plug from the infinite wisdom of the Universe. I become so attached to my point of view, my certainty of small-minded rightness, that I sacrifice my sense of well-being for a fleeting intellectual victory. I grew up in New York City-it’s almost genetically pre-programmed.  But, for impaired breathers like myself, there is HOPE! Recently, I read ‘The Breathing Book’ by Donna Farhi, a beautifully written book about (don’t hold your breath in anticipation) the anatomy and psychology of breathing, including various common patterns of breathing and exercises for improving your breath, or mind/body connection.

Donna recommends:

1. Become aware of your breath and breathing patterns.

2. Notice what your breath does to your mind/body/spirit.

3.Observe what circumstances cause you to constrict, freeze, or grab your breath.

4. Dismantle your pattern.

5. Practice relaxed, expansive breathing.

I recommend:

1. The Breathing Book, by Donna Farhi and Light on Pranayama, by B.K.S. Iyengar.

2. When you feel yourself poised for a mental or emotional fight, breathe deeply and slowly, allowing your abdomen to expand and release with each breath. It is impossible to do this while simultaneously interrupting someone who is speaking with you, or reaming someone out.