December Detox Your Life | Day 2: Just Breathe
For Day 2 of December Detox Your Life, we’re speaking to anyone interested in reducing stress or staying fit. With the passing of Thanksgiving, lot’s of us are feeling the pressure of the holiday time crunch (shameless plug warning: your search for festive all-natural stocking stuffers ends here). Lucky for all of us, JK Naturals was able to connect with internationally recognized Yoga Alliance registered E-RYT, Islena Faircrest, who gave us our next tip about staying calm and in the present this holiday season through a simple Yoga technique.
Here’s what Islena had to say:
I often hear people say they are afraid to try Yoga because they are so stiff and inflexible. I like to tell them that is precisely the reason why they should try it; like anything in life – it’s the journey and the process (getting familiar with a Yoga practice and noticing the benefits) , and not the final destination (flexibility) that breathes life and color into our day to day living.
She explains that with practice, Yoga helps build strength, endurance and flexibility, and helps cultivate an equilibrium in mind, body and soul. An alert, tranquil mind opens the heart and relaxes the spirit. With the approach of winter and cold nights, we serve ourselves well to take a moment during the day to pause and be fully present in our bodies as the season encourages us to slow down and give introspection to our inner workings.
Yoga in Sanskrit means “union” which entails bringing together that which was once fragmented. In essence, Yoga heals those fragmented parts of ourselves, and brings them towards union. The first step in this awareness is in the breath. Our breath is the tool that brings life to the vessel of our body.
And now for some advice from Islena…
Tip: Whenever you feel harried or hurried this holiday season, take a moment to connect to your breath.
Stop whatever you are doing that has made you become “fragmented” and not present, and find a spot to sit down that is as private as you can muster. Close your eyes, and place your left hand on your heart, and your right hand an inch below your belly button. Consciously slow your breathing down so you begin taking longer, deeper, slower breaths. Observe and watch this breath cycle slow down without judging it. Watch this how you would watch puffy clouds in the sky pass by on a day with a gentle breeze. Observe any sensations you feel in your hands. As they lay on your heart and belly, feel the warmth or possible tingling of energy between them as you feel the rise and fall of your belly with your breath. Once your mind has slowed down, begin inhaling to the count of three (in your mind) and exhaling to the count of six, so that your exhalations are longer than your inhalations. Continue as long as you are comfortable. This calms the nervous system and will act as a restorative tonic for your day.
Now, if you find yourself in Pleasanton, California and are inexplicably in need of a Yoga fix you can catch a few classes with Islena. Check her site for the latest schedule. In-joy!
Want to see yesterday’s tip?
I love this tip! It’s so simple AND it works!
Dear Yoga, I can’t thank you enough. You have been my friend through many difficult physical and emotional bumps in my road. I only discovered you about five years ago, but you have become one of the most important parts of my life. Like Islena mentions, people just have to try you out. They don’t even need to be, what many worry about, GOOD at you. And there’s enough of you for everyone–I’ll share you! From the bottom of my open heart, Yoga, I love you. Namaste. ;o)