LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE

Ido yoga almost every day. If I feel sick, I do yogic breathing. It always makes me feel better. My first yoga class was in 2003. I was living at a clinic for women with eating disorders. Once a week, Beth, a graduate student, told us to lay on the floor and relax. Most women with eating disorders are anxious. Being still can be very uncomfortable. My mind was racing. My body was jittery. Beth began to slowly count to 6. “Breathe in through your nose nice and slow,” she said. “Let your belly rise.” You can actually do this now as you sit and read. When you exhale, keep your mouth closed. Breathe out, and let your belly relax to the same count of 6. With each breath relax, relax, relax. Keep doing this for as long as you like. 3-5 minutes will help you feel better naturally. Here’s why. Yogic breathing stimulates rest, relaxation and repair throughout the body. There is scientific backing for this, too. You don’t need to twist your body into a pretzel or stand on your head to benefit. In fact, yogic breathing can be done in bed. I invite you to try it when you can’t sleep or in the morning if you wake up tired. The literal meaning of yoga is “union.” Union between body, mind and spirit. And greater union between you and God. Yoga is something to practice. It is a process that helps us to engage and get involved in the world and take control of our lives in a healthy way. Even the act of simple yogic breathing will help you connect more deeply to what you want for your life and feel more harmony and peace throughout your day. If you’d like me to visit your home, worksite or senior living place to share simple yogic breathing, email maryjobriggsaustin@gmail.com .