Venus Rising

Yoga for LivingIssue: Aquarius 09 - The Change Issue

Change Comes From Within

Change comes from within. Krishnamurti wrote that if you want peace in the world, you must first create peace in your own mind. When we feel at peace, we are more able to treat others in a compassionate way and this ripples out until there is more compassion in the world. 

Since our state of mind correlates directly to the speed and quality of our breath, yogis developed breath techniques to help calm the ailing mind. When your breath slows down and evens out, the mind becomes more tranquil. Likewise, when your mind is more at ease, your breath rhythm tends to be slower and smoother. Since it is easier to work directly with the breath than the mind, you can use breath techniques to slow down and calm the mind.

Begin by noticing your breath. Do not yet change it. Sit comfortably or lie down and observe your natural breath. Where do you feel it in your body? Is it more in your belly or your chest? What is the speed of your breath? Fast or slow? Is the inhale longer than the exhale or the exhale longer then the inhale? Once you have noticed the breath as it is, begin to even out the breath so that the inhale and the exhale are the same length. An easy way to do this is to count the length of your inhale and then exhale for the same number of counts. 

Once you have gotten comfortable with an even breath rhythm then begin to lengthen the exhale. Start by exhaling one count longer than the inhale and then continue to lengthen the exhale as feels comfortable until eventually the exhale is twice as long as the inhale. If exhaling twice as long feels like too much, then simply lengthen the exhale as long as is comfortable for you. Don’t push. At any point if you get irritated or anxious or lose track of the breath stop, take a regular breath and begin again. Practice for five to fifteen minutes. Notice how the technique soothes and steadies the mind. 

Learn more about Emily Garrett and her yoga classes at http://www.emilygarrettyoga.com