Take a Moment for yourself, and just Breathe

Photo: Every breath you take by mikelens

Around this time of the year, the stress starts to hit. Our stress-filled life contribute to bad breathing habits. Many of us tend to breath using only the top-region of our chests. With the added stress, it is not surprising that our breaths quicken, and get even more shallow. Shallow breathing can cause fatigue.
So, it is more important than ever for us to take just a moment to stop, and breath deeply.
In yoga, one of the breathing techniques is known as the three-part breath. The three-part breath teaches you to fully engage your diaphragm, help to oxygenate the blood, and relaxes the mind and body.

Sit or stand with the spine erect and elongated, and consciously allow your shoulders to relax. Inhale and exhale through your nose.

To inhale:
1. As you breathe in, allow you belly to expand and fill with air.
2. Next, allow your rib cage to open and allow air into your lungs.
3. Finally, allow the breath to fill all the way to your clavicle (collar bones)
This is all done in one inhale.
As you exhale, let your chest release the air first, and then allow your belly to deflate like a balloon.
Let your exhale be as long as your inhale.

Give yourself the time to take 10 deep 3-part breaths. You'll notice the difference!