Enjoy Stress Relief with this Pranayama!

This episode is designed to invite you to take 8 minutes of your day to "Find Your Calmness" through this simple breathing technique! 

Most of us know that when we’re rushed and feeling pressured, our breathing becomes shallow. But have you noticed that when your nervous system is jacked up, your inhalations are longer than your exhalations? If you can summon the presence of mind to check your breath next time you find yourself harried and feeling anxious, chances are you’ll find you are emphasizing inhalation at the expense of exhalation.  This quickly increases your level of stress—short exhalations make us vulnerable to anxiety and depression, and create an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system.

The antidote is simple: lengthen the exhalation—in fact make it twice as long as the inhalation. Sustain this breathing pattern for a minute or two and your heart rate slows, your blood pressure drops, and your muscles begin to relax. When you’ve gained some experience at the technique, you can easily switch to this breathing pattern and soothe your nervous system any time you’re feeling stressed.

Benefits:

• Relaxes the nervous system
• Increases relaxation and sleep
• Reduces anxiety
• Increases lung capacity and breath control
• Releases tension
• Cools the body

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If you enjoyed this, then head to my website at www.carolinelayzellyoga.com/events/ and click on Pranayama Challenge and enjoy access to my 5 Days of Pranayama Challenge. It includes 5 different breathing techniques to enjoy daily!  Look out soon for a 5 Days of Meditation challenge arriving in September!