Breathing Easily.

Walking on the beach today in the morning made me think how its ever-changing beauty mirrors the changes of our lives. Some days the water is crystal clear and the sand is pristine, the others - the waves are angrily licking the shore and bring in the seaweed and debris. The only way to withstand the storms of our lives is to find an inner balance, the place of stillness inside of ourselves that will keep us afloat.  Below is a small routine of nine extremely slow breaths designed to calm and to balance in the time of stress. Both inhalations and exhalation are through the nose.

For the first four breaths, bring the arms slowly forward, and upward, joining palms over the head while inhaling. Then lower the arms through the sides as you exhale. Continue for three more cycles, visualizing the shape of a circle.

In the next three breaths the arms are raised from the sides to join over the head, with inhalation, and lowered through the sides down with exhalation. During this cycle visualize the shape of a triangle, balanced and steady.

For the last two breaths raise your arms forward, holding them parallel, and raise them above the head connecting the palms while inhaling, and bring them down in same way during exhalation, concentrating on the image of parallel lines. 

Finish off standing in Tadasana, hands in front of your chest.  Tune into the stillness inside.