Breathing practices are the essence of settling your body and mind, as will as calling up a more heightened sense of awareness. You can use breathing practices alone or as a preliminary exercise to various other forms of meditation and states training. It is possible to experience states of attunement with yourself and others simply through breathing practices.As the distracting thoughts settle and your mind becomes calmer, a deep state of resonance may naturally arise. This feeling of well-being or OK-ness can be achieved on a daily basis simply through consistent practice. Just by doing breathing for five or ten minutes each day, you may be able to find a balance of body and mind beneficial to coping with anger provoking situations. Oxygen plays a vital role in the circulatory and respiratory system of your body. As you breathe, the oxygen that is inhaled purifies your blood by removing waste products circulating throughout your blood system.
Irregular breathing can actually impede this purification process and cause waste products to linger in your body. Insufficient oxygen consumption may eventually lead to fatigue and heightened anger, stress and anxiety states. Through breathing practice, you may not only counter the unhealthy effects of stress, but rejuvenate your whole outlook on life.
Basic Breathing Practice
Lie on a mat, blanket or rug on the floor. Bend your knees and place your feet about six (6) to ten (10) inches apart, with your toes turned slightly outward. Place one hand on your abdomen and one hand on your chest. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose into your abdomen to push up your hand as much as feels comfortable. Your chest should move only a little and only with your abdomen. Continue step three until it becomes rhythmic and comfortable. Smile slightly, breathe in through your nose and breathe out though your mouth, making a quiet, windy sound as you gently release your breath. Your mouth, tongue and jaw will become relaxed. Take long, slow, deep breaths raising and lowering your abdomen. Hear the sound and feel the quality of breathing as you become more and more relaxed. You may start off with this technique by doing it for five minutes. As you become more comfortable with it, you may extend it to 20 minutes and more. When you complete a session, stay quiet and still for a few more minutes and notice your body relaxed. The goal of this practice is to develop a relaxing breathing method. You may practice anytime, however it can be particularly helpful during angry or stressful times.