Prana - "life force" or "life energy"Yama - "discipline" or "control"
Ayama - "expansion", "non-restraint", or "extension"
Are you aware of your breath? Through your nose, breathe in and count to 4 while letting the air fill your throat, lungs and stomach 1, 2, 3, 4 and then breathe out letting the air flow out in reverse 4, 3, 2, 1.
Yoga is teaching me how to breathe properly again and I do actually find it challenging. When I am learning a new asana (pose) or doing something a little more difficult, I find that I hold my breath instead of continuing to breathe. When I am aware of my breath and do not hold on to it, I realise how much easier it is to go into a pose and how much deeper I can stretch.
I used to suffer from crippling anxiety "nervosa" and was prescribed valium and dex-amphetamines as a teenager. Not recommended by the way. No child should be given behavioural drugs when they are developing! Anyway, I finally learnt that breathing was the key when I started to panic (oh yeah, and eating breakfast...regularly!!). I had to take myself out of the situation until the feeling had passed and just breathe. Maybe that's why I am so drawn to yoga.
9 comments:
You're exactly right. Breathing is the best way to get thru anxiety and panic attacks. In Karate we're always reminded to breathe also. Have a fantastic weekend Mary. xx
Meditation of all kinds does seem to center around breathing, and so does singing (although with that and Karate, you are only supposed to use your diaphragm).
It's really cool to see you getting into all this. Go for it, babe!
Pilates is very much the same, in that you always have to focus on the breath. I find it too easy to ignore this but when I do make myself pay attention, I find the quality of the exercise improves greatly.
I can't believe some of the shit some doctors prescribe for psychiatric/ behavioural conditions. And I agree with you 100% that they shouldn't be prescribed to someone who is still developing. Finding an exercise you enjoy and taking the time out to breathe I think are far more helpful and productive than being pumped full of weird-arsed drugs.
I've never tried yoga but sounds worth a look! have a good wknd doll!
thats what i like about focusing on the breath, it really brings you into the moment so everything else falls away. id like to give yoga a go once im lower in weight, use it for flexibility and relaxation. Should be good, I enjoy hearing your experiences :)
thanks for the reminder, every breathe we take is precious. and some of the most lovely sensitive types of people do feel anxiety in childhood. i am glad you are finding your spiritual strength and maybe that is partly because you have had the courage to look inward. all power to you, and also wishing you a happy birthday time, birthdays should always last a few days!, from barbara
I find breathing so hard - well when I consciously try to control it - but lately I've been trying to breathe properly when doing weights, exhaling on the hard part of the exercise.
I dunno if it makes it easier or if it's just that my attention is all on my breath that I forget I'm working.
Doctors are always so quick to prescribe drugs instead of looking at other options.
I have recently been doing yogalates - and I love it:)
Great words of advice Mary, thanks :)
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