Breathing exercises are excellent tools that can even be used in everyday situations. In many instances, especially those entrenched in fear, anger, or stress, breathing will help to diffuse state of mind that may cause a reaction or statement that is contrary to a balanced way of life. The exercises can also be used before speeches or performances that may be otherwise anxiety-ridden. Breathing exercises can be used in childbirth preparation and, hopefully, during labor to reduce intensity of baby’s birth. The benefits of pranayama are numerous and one who exercises breath can only hope to have an opportunity to delve deeper into this realm that holds so much significance in our existence on this Earth.

Prana is life and pranayama is its exaltation. One should begin by becoming familiar with breath and noticing times when breath is shallow; be breath observer. It is recommended to begin breathwork with a qualified teacher (registered yoga teachers are trained in pranayama). As with anything, more one practices, more it becomes automatic and a way of life. How can we deny breath its proper exercise and practice? The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, remember to take phrase “just breathe” seriously as it may be that one body-mind-spirit link that you are missing.

"When breath wanders mind also is unsteady. But when breath is calmed, mind too will be still, and yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control breath."(Hatha Yoga Pradipika)

Listen to Your Intuition~ Is this decision ego or soul driven? Is it coming from head or heart? This is raising your level of consciousness and shifting from being in control to a place of trust. I had a teleclass leader at Coach U, www.coachinc.com , who said “if you can stop chatter in your mind long enough to get message you will find intuition is never wrong”.

Stop~ Be still, breathe, listen, be at peace, and rejuvenate. Principle 2 in book The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, explains that “Because energy capacity diminishes both with overuse and with underuse, we must balance energy expenditure with intermittent energy renewal.” Make decisions from a place of renewal vs. being drained.

Acts Boldly on Important Stuff First~ When you discover right answers follow up with bold action trusting that you have everything within you to handle whatever outcome. The right answers are not always easiest. Martin Luther King’s right answer took guts. Oprah’s decision to take “the high road” took guts. Know you are capable of so much more.

Imagine transformation in your life and business if you take a moment to consciously upgrade your decisions. Try it, and let me know how it works out for you!

Copyright 2005 © Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.