Intentional Breathing as a Daily Practice

This week focus on your breath.

Breathe in for the count of 4
Breathe out for the count of 4

If this feels fairly easy after a few breathes then add in a 4 second hold at the top and the bottom of each breath.

If that feels easy increase it to 6 seconds.

Notice where your breath feels restricted and where it goes easily.
Expand in 360 directions.
Fill up your entire rib cage and completely exhale without force.

This isn’t an all day thing.
Practice it for a few minutes each day.
This could be your daily dose of movement—your daily minimum.

Reduce Anxiety & Increase Your Mood

Did you know there are studies that show this can increase your mood and help with anxiety?

It helps your posture improve.

It can relieve neck pain, low back pain, and pelvic floor discomfort.

Breathing is the part of yoga that feels sooo good.

For an entire hour you are focused on your inhales and exhales. Even if all the poses aren’t the best.

Maybe downward dog or excessive sun salutations are causing repetitive stress, you’re over stretching your tendons, you need more strength in your muscles and less throwing yourself into hyper-mobility.

Maybe all you need is time with your breath.

I used to make more time for this.
Now I have two little kids.

Most of my deep breathing happens at dinner time when I’m about to scream.

I take in full body breaths and when my kids get wild, I ask as kindly as I can, “what is it that you need?”

Or I just give them screen time to get through dinner with peace for all of us.

Multitasking beyond my current energy level is a recipe for mom rage.

Be kind to yourself and it will radiate towards others too.

Love Always,

Danielle Mallett