If you're experiencing an insatiable hunger, you just might be hungry for more than food can ever supply. Try spending just ten minutes alone with God in a comfortable seated position while listening to your thoughts as you practice conscious breath control (called pranayama in Sanskrit.) Be sure that your space is quiet and uncluttered. Closing your eyes will help to block visual distractions, and listening to the sound of your breath will keep your busy mind occupied temporarily. When your mind wanders out of the present moment---and it will, unless you're experienced at the art of meditation---just return to the sound of each breath. You will find yourself returning to the breath again and again, and do so without an emotional response, such as annoyance or frustration. Simply enjoy breathing each "breath of life" with gratitude.
Tune in to the sound of each breath by exhaling with a long sighing sound that can be made by lowering the chin slightly and gently engaging the glottis---the valve in the back of the throat that controls air flow. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply, and through the nose only with the tip of the tongue resting lightly on the upper palate behind the teeth. Soften the facial features by allowing the corners of the mouth to turn up in a slight smile to prevent tension in the mouth and jaw.
Now begin to smooth and even out the flow of energy as it moves in an upward flow through the body by creating space in the chest. Lift and lengthen the torso by extending the crown of the head upward and open the ribcage three-dimensionally---not only side to side but up and down, front and back. Allow each inhalation to become smoother and deeper than the one before by softening the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle that separates the upper and lower abdomen) to fully relax downward. Draw the air into the back of the throat as if you were drinking in each breath as a gift---a powerful elixir from your loving Creator.
Keeping the mouth closed throughout each cycle of breath, begin to extend the duration of each exhalation in order to thoroughly release all carbon dioxide. While you're exhaling you might as well release tension in the neck and back, as well as the toxic thoughts that created that tension. Let it all go! Finish each exhalation with an attitude of gentle surrender.
Permit the healing oxygen in each "breath of life" to nourish every cell in your physical body while you nourish your soul with the cleansing release of all toxic tension. Experience the "relaxation response...."
After ten minutes or so of pranayama practice, slowly open your eyes and enjoy life more thoroughly with a grateful heart for every breath you take, every move you make, 'cause someone's watching you! Now slowly walk away from those unnecessary, unhealthy foods.
See you next week on the mat!
Tune in to the sound of each breath by exhaling with a long sighing sound that can be made by lowering the chin slightly and gently engaging the glottis---the valve in the back of the throat that controls air flow. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply, and through the nose only with the tip of the tongue resting lightly on the upper palate behind the teeth. Soften the facial features by allowing the corners of the mouth to turn up in a slight smile to prevent tension in the mouth and jaw.
Now begin to smooth and even out the flow of energy as it moves in an upward flow through the body by creating space in the chest. Lift and lengthen the torso by extending the crown of the head upward and open the ribcage three-dimensionally---not only side to side but up and down, front and back. Allow each inhalation to become smoother and deeper than the one before by softening the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle that separates the upper and lower abdomen) to fully relax downward. Draw the air into the back of the throat as if you were drinking in each breath as a gift---a powerful elixir from your loving Creator.
Keeping the mouth closed throughout each cycle of breath, begin to extend the duration of each exhalation in order to thoroughly release all carbon dioxide. While you're exhaling you might as well release tension in the neck and back, as well as the toxic thoughts that created that tension. Let it all go! Finish each exhalation with an attitude of gentle surrender.
Permit the healing oxygen in each "breath of life" to nourish every cell in your physical body while you nourish your soul with the cleansing release of all toxic tension. Experience the "relaxation response...."
After ten minutes or so of pranayama practice, slowly open your eyes and enjoy life more thoroughly with a grateful heart for every breath you take, every move you make, 'cause someone's watching you! Now slowly walk away from those unnecessary, unhealthy foods.
See you next week on the mat!
