To all of my clients and friends:
"Autumn is a season of gathering nature’s gifts before winter’s rest. It also marks the beginning of a cycle of personal turning within when the night’s darkness finally equals the length of the day. This transition may be difficult for some but if you choose to adapt yourself to the changes that come with the season; you will maintain health.
In Chinese Medicine, the organs associated with Autumn are the Lung and Large Intestine. Some of the associations with these organs are the breath and the ability to let go. Our bodies are kept alive by the breath we take, supplying us with vital oxygen. But what many of us don’t realize is that the manner in which we take in those breaths has the power to alter our conscious and affect our emotional well-being. Slow and conscious breathing benefits not only our physical selves such as activating the lymphatic system to help us flush toxins but also our mental and spiritual sides. Deep breathing promotes relaxation and awareness that can help facilitate the release of negative emotions.
The following are a list of different breathing exercises you can try:
Wu Breathing: This Chinese technique can be used in the morning and at night
- Lie down in a relaxed position with your head on a small pillow and your arms resting at your sides. Your feet should be a bit more than hip-width apart.
- Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth, resting it just behind the front teeth and the gums.
- Begin to breathe naturally through the nose. Imagine the breath coming through the nose to the top of the head and then down to the center of the belly.
- Continue breathing and visualizing in this manner for 20 to 30 minutes. Concentrate on the breath coming in through your head.
The 20-cycle Breath
1.Take four short, continuous breaths. Do not pause between the inhalation and exhalation.
2. Follow with one extended long breath.
3.Repeat this process five times.
Pulse Breathing: This exercise combines diaphragmatic breathing and a pulsed, hard exhalation to remove carbon dioxide. Perform this exercise anytime you find yourself under stress.
1.Take a deep breath and exhale.
2.Inhale and exhale forcefully.(This is a pulse breath)
3.Take two deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.
4.Take three deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.
5.Take four deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.
6.Take five deep-breathing cycles and a pulse breath.
