Belly Breath - November 2022
Traditions • 1m 54s
This is Belly Breath. It is a state of deep breathing controlled by the diaphragm, a large muscle in our abdomen. It fills the lungs fully and counteracts shallow, stressed out breathing. When our bodies are in “fight or flight,” we engage in shallow breathing. Belly breathing reduces our heart rate, triggers a relaxation response, and slows us down. When we are born, we naturally breathe from our belly. As we get older, we start to breathe more shallowly from our chest. Place your hands on your belly. Take a deep, slow breath through your nose and let your belly rise. Breathe out as you feel your belly fall. Imagine your belly is full of water. Inhale let the waves rise in your belly and exhale let them fall. Feel your belly rise and fall with your hand as you breathe in and out. Try this 3-5 times.
Up Next in Traditions
-
Move with Nature - November 2022
This activity is a great way to explore how our bodies can connect with nature. Each element provides a new opportunity for movement and body awareness. The earth element movement helps us to feel grounded with ourselves while fire helps us to connect with our own energy. Water helps us to go wit...
-
We Are Water Protectors - November 2022
We Are Water Protectors is a 2020 picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Written in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the book tells the story of an Ojibwe girl who fights against an oil pipeline in an effort to protect the water supply of her p...
-
Aum Shanti Aum - November 2022
This video uses the shruti box, a musical instrument from India, to sing a yogic chant about people. The shruti has covered holes that we can open to find different notes. It makes sound by pumping air from the back, letting the air move through the holes that are open. This instrument is closely...